Phil Washington Earns Backing of Millions of Aviation Workers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), on behalf of millions of aviation workers across the country, endorsed President Biden’s nominee to be the next FAA Administrator, Phil Washington, and called for his swift confirmation.

Pilots and Safety Specialists Tell Commerce Committee: Phil Washington Has What it Takes to Lead FAA

Today, during the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on strengthening the aviation workforce, Capt. Jason Ambrosi, President of the Air Line Pilots Association, International, which represents more than 67,000 pilots at 39 airlines, and David Spero, National President of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO, which represents more than 11,000 public servants at the FAA and DOD expressed their strong support for Phil Washington to lead the FAA.

Cantwell at Aviation Workforce Hearing: “Now More Than Ever, We Cannot Afford to Leave Good Talent on the Table”

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, discussed the importance of building a pipeline of aviation talent to meet the growing demand for commercial air travel and expanding efforts to recruit, educate and train more women and minorities for career opportunities in aerospace. Her remarks came at today’s Commerce Committee hearing on strengthening the aviation workforce.

Flight Attendants Nationwide Call for Phil Washington Confirmation

Phil Washington, President Biden’s nominee to serve as the next FAA Administrator, has now received the major endorsements of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), the largest flight attendants union with 50,000 flight attendants across 19 airlines, and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), representing American Airlines’ 25,000 flight attendants. Both organizations made clear the need for a strong, Senate-confirmed leader at the FAA in light of several recent “close calls.”

Largest Airline Workers Union Says Phil Washington is the Leader FAA Needs to Ensure Safety, Competitiveness

Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) – the largest airline workers union in the United States – underscored their support for Phil Washington to be the next FAA Administrator, calling him “exactly the leader that the FAA needs as it navigates the increasingly complex issues facing our national airspace.” TWU represents nearly every class and craft of worker across 17 airlines and several airline contractors.

NEW: Frontier Airlines Endorses Phil Washington for FAA Administrator “Wholeheartedly”

Adding to the chorus of support for Phil Washington, President Biden’s nominee to serve as the next FAA Administrator, Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle wrote to the Senate Commerce Committee to “wholeheartedly” recommend Mr. Washington’s confirmation. Along with its headquarters in Denver, Frontier operates major hubs from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and Orlando International Airport. Additionally, the airline serves travelers from bases in Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Tampa.

Cantwell Keeps Commitment to Safety with 737 MAX Oversight Hearing to Ensure Safety Reforms are Being Met

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, questioned FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen today on the status and implementation of aviation safety reforms required in the Aircraft Certification, Safety and Accountability Act (ACSAA), which Congress passed following the tragic 737 MAX crashes. Sen. Cantwell emphasized the need for transparency to ensure the FAA is meeting key deadlines, including workforce reviews to build a technical workforce.

Cantwell Opening Remarks at MAX Aviation Safety Oversight Hearing

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, delivered the following opening remarks during today’s hearing with Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen on the status and implementation of aviation safety reforms outlined in in the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act (ACSAA) which Congress passed following the tragic MAX-8 crashes. Sen. Cantwell authored the aviation safety legislation and it was signed into law on December 27, 2020.