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Monday, February 23, 2026

Tag: airlines
February 26, 2025
News

American Airlines Jet Aborts DC Landing to Prevent Collision.

An American Airlines jet had to abort its landing at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., early Tuesday morning to prevent a potential collision with another aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the flight was nearing its descent at approximately 8:20 AM EST when the pilot noticed another plane preparing to take off from the same runway.

The pilot quickly decided to execute a go-around maneuver, ascending back into the air to maintain separation from the other aircraft. An official statement from the FAA explained that the action was necessary to ensure a safe distance between the two planes.

In another incident on the same day, a Southwest Airlines flight experienced a similar near-miss at Chicago Midway Airport. At 9:50 AM EST, Southwest Flight 2504, arriving from Omaha, was forced to pull up just before touching down. A smaller business jet, operated by Flexjet, had entered the runway without authorization. Initial FAA statements confirmed that this unauthorized runway entry prompted the abrupt go-around maneuver. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), along with the FAA, is investigating this incident. A Southwest Airlines representative confirmed that the crew adhered to safety protocols and the flight landed without issues.

These incidents underscore growing worries about aviation safety amid recent air travel incidents. Earlier on Tuesday, a United Airlines flight made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport following a suspected mechanical issue. On Monday, a Delta Air Lines flight had to return to Atlanta after a cabin haze prompted an emergency landing.

Tragically, 67 individuals died in early February after a U.S. military black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines passenger jet preparing to land at Reagan National Airport.

Image by Quintin Soloviev.

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An American Airlines jet had to abort its landing at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., early Tuesday morning to prevent a potential collision with another aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the flight was nearing its descent at approximately 8:20 AM EST when the pilot noticed another plane preparing to take off from the same runway. show more
February 3, 2025
Politics

Sean Duffy: Biden Govt More Focused on ‘Racist Roads’ and Electric Vehicles Than Airline Safety.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says his predecessor, Democrat Pete Buttigieg, did not focus the department on safety but rather spent valuable resources and time pursuing frivolous diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-aligned policies. Speaking on Sunday with Jake Tapper, Duffy criticized Buttigieg and the Biden government for prioritizing the renaming of roads they claimed had racist connotations and mandating gender-neutral changes to terms common parlance terms like “cockpit” and “airmen.”

“So I do know that, in the last administration, they were focused on not safety, but they were focused on changing the name from cockpit to flight deck, or notice to airmen, they want to change it to notice to air mission,” Sec. Duffy said after Tapper pressed him on whether DEI policies had any part in the tragic air collision that killed 67 individuals in Washington, D.C. last week. He continued: “They focused on E.V.s and sustainability and ‘racist’ roads, things that don’t matter in regard to safety.”

“Our mission since the start has been safety, and they have lost that mission. And we see, when you don’t focus on safety and you focus on social justice or the environment, bad things happen.”

Sec. Duffy also announced plans to evaluate the impact of DEI initiatives on the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). According to Duffy, following this assessment, a comprehensive report detailing potential effects on aviation safety will be released.

The National Pulse reported in January 2024 that the Biden government had prioritized the recruitment of individuals with “severe” intellectual and psychiatric disabilities for roles at the FAA, which oversees airline regulation and safety, as part of its diversity hiring.

Notably, the agency has faced several lawsuits over its hiring policies, which saw a number of highly qualified individuals rejected because they were white males.

Image by Adam Fagen.

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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says his predecessor, Democrat Pete Buttigieg, did not focus the department on safety but rather spent valuable resources and time pursuing frivolous diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-aligned policies. Speaking on Sunday with Jake Tapper, Duffy criticized Buttigieg and the Biden government for prioritizing the renaming of roads they claimed had racist connotations and mandating gender-neutral changes to terms common parlance terms like "cockpit" and "airmen." show more
January 30, 2025
News

Staffing at Reagan National Was ‘Abnormal’ During Crash, Says FAA.

The recent collision involving an American Airlines flight and a Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport may have been partly caused by staffing issues at the airport’s air traffic control tower. An internal Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety report highlighted that the tower’s staffing levels were “not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic” during the incident.

On Wednesday evening, a single air traffic controller was responsible for managing both helicopter activity in the vicinity and the movements of aircraft departing from and landing at the airport. Two controllers typically fulfill these duties. This practice is part of a broader staffing challenge that the tower has faced for several years, with the current workforce falling nearly one-third below the ideal number of fully certified controllers. As of September 2023, the tower had 19 certified controllers, many working extended hours to meet needs.

Across the nation, the shortage of air traffic controllers is significant, with a reported shortfall of about 3,000 controllers as of early 2024. During the 2023 fiscal year, the FAA recruited approximately 1,512 new controller candidates. However, it also saw a loss of 1,300, including retirements and attrition at various training stages. Of these, 400 failed the FAA’s academy, and 109 dropped out. The National Pulse reported at the time that the Biden government prioritized the hiring of individuals at the FAA with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities.

The collision occurred shortly before 9 PM on Wednesday, as American Airlines flight 5342 was approaching runway 33. The plane collided with a Black Hawk helicopter from the 12th Aviation Battalion at Fort Belvoir, conducting a training flight over the Potomac River.

Tragically, the 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the airline and the three soldiers in the Black Hawk are all presumed dead.

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The recent collision involving an American Airlines flight and a Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport may have been partly caused by staffing issues at the airport's air traffic control tower. An internal Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety report highlighted that the tower's staffing levels were "not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic" during the incident. show more
January 30, 2025
Media

Ghoulish: CNN Pundit Says ‘I F*cked Up’ After Blaming Trump for DC Air Disaster.

CNN political commentator Bakari Sellers is apologizing after he attempted to quickly connect President Donald J. Trump to the tragic mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, Wednesday night. Following the deadly crash—in which it is feared 64 civilian passengers and crew, along with three military personnel, perished—Sellers posted a screenshot on social media of a Democratic Party press release alleging President Trump froze air traffic controller hirings last week.

“8 days ago,” Sellers wrote on X (formerly Twitter) with the Democratic Party press release screenshotted below. Despite the Democrats’ and Sellers’s claims, the hiring freeze instituted by Trump excludes U.S. military personnel and positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, and public safety. The latter includes air traffic controllers.

Additionally, there is currently no indication that an air traffic controller error caused the collision or that rushed hirings would have changed the events resulting in the deadly crash.


After receiving an avalanche of pushback, Sellers deleted his post and later followed up with a mea culpa. “I deleted the post because timing matters. Politics at this point does not. I f**ked up, I own that,” Sellers wrote on X, continuing: “I am very prayerful but I’m also very frustrated upset and disturbed with where we are as a country. I recognize, and I will do better.”

“The only thing that matters is rescuing the survivors, and ensuring this never happens again,” the CNN commentator concluded.

It was confirmed this morning that there are no survivors.

CNN has not commented on the matter beyond stating that the corporate news network stands by Sellers’s public apology. The National Pulse has previously reported that CNN has suffered a significant loss of viewership over the last year. This has led to layoffs and the departure of several long-time correspondents and other on-air talent.

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CNN political commentator Bakari Sellers is apologizing after he attempted to quickly connect President Donald J. Trump to the tragic mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, Wednesday night. Following the deadly crash—in which it is feared 64 civilian passengers and crew, along with three military personnel, perished—Sellers posted a screenshot on social media of a Democratic Party press release alleging President Trump froze air traffic controller hirings last week. show more
January 27, 2025
News

Alas, You Can No Longer Show Up For Your Spirit Flight Half Naked.

Spirit Airlines has introduced a revised dress code policy, effective January 22, following recent incidents involving passenger attire—or lack thereof—that gained attention on social media. The new guidelines specify scenarios where travelers may be denied boarding or removed from flights based on clothing and body art.

According to the updated policy, passengers will not be allowed to board or could be asked to leave if they are considered “inadequately clothed,” meaning wearing see-through garments or not adequately covering the body, including exposed private areas. Additionally, travelers with attire or body art deemed lewd, obscene, or offensive may also face action.

Footwear rules have also been stipulated, requiring passengers to wear suitable shoes. Other stipulations include measures against boarding for those appearing intoxicated, abusive towards crew members, or having an “offensive odor unless due to a recognized disability.” These measures are standard in airline carriage contracts, addressing issues such as intoxication, abusive behavior, and odor.

Previously, Spirit Airlines—a budget air carrier—had policies against passengers described as “inadequately clothed” or displaying “lewd” attire, although they lacked specificity. The update clarifies what constitutes policy violations.

The stricter guidelines emerged after multiple instances where passengers’ attire led to altercations. Notably, in October 2024, two passengers were removed for wearing crop tops deemed inappropriate. More recently, a man in a provocative hoodie was escorted off a flight despite agreeing to remove it.

Other airlines maintain dress codes but with varying specificity. Delta Airlines’ policy can deny boarding to passengers whose attire risks offending others. American Airlines prohibits bare feet and offensive clothing. Hawaiian Airlines is more specific about acceptable attire, allowing tank tops and shorts but prohibiting Speedos and bikini bottoms.

Image by Tomás Del Coro.

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Spirit Airlines has introduced a revised dress code policy, effective January 22, following recent incidents involving passenger attire—or lack thereof—that gained attention on social media. The new guidelines specify scenarios where travelers may be denied boarding or removed from flights based on clothing and body art. show more

Editor’s Notes

Behind-the-scenes political intrigue exclusively for Pulse+ subscribers.

RAHEEM J. KASSAM Editor-in-Chief
I’m not sure any of the readers of this website were showing up half naked, or even flying Spirit, but the headline was too good to pass up!
for exclusive members-only insights
I’m not sure any of the readers of this website were showing up half naked, or even flying Spirit, but the headline was too good to pass up! show more
for exclusive members-only insights
July 1, 2024
Christopher Tomlinson
Crime
News

Is Boeing Getting Special Treatment?

Boeing is nearing an agreement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to plead guilty to criminal charges stemming from two fatal 737 Max crashes that occurred in 2018 and 2019, according to attorneys representing the victims’ families.

The aerospace manufacturer is accused of violating a previous settlement related to these tragedies, which resulted in the deaths of 346 people. The crashes took place in Indonesia in October 2018 and Ethiopia in 2019.

In January 2021, the DOJ charged Boeing with conspiracy to defraud the United States, alleging that the company misled the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) during the evaluation of the 737 MAX aircraft.

Boeing agreed to a deferred prosecution agreement, committing to pay fines totaling $243.7 million, $1.77 billion in compensation to airline customers, and $500 million to the beneficiaries of the crash victims. Boeing also agreed to cooperate with the government and avoid committing any felony offenses, with the DOJ deferring criminal prosecution for three years.

In May, the DOJ asserted that Boeing had violated its obligations under the 2021 settlement. Now, the DOJ is proposing a new agreement, which would necessitate Boeing pleading guilty to conspiracy charges, paying a fine of approximately $200 million, agreeing to the appointment of an external corporate monitor, and remaining on probation for three years. This deal would prevent the need for a criminal trial.

The families of the crash victims have expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed plea deal, criticizing it for lacking accountability and an admission of conspiracy causing the deaths of 346 people.

Several whistleblowers have come forward warning of safety issues with Boeing aircraft, including John Barnett, who was found shot to death earlier this year. Barnett had warned, “If anything happens to me, it’s not suicide,” although his death was ruled as self-inflicted.

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Boeing is nearing an agreement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to plead guilty to criminal charges stemming from two fatal 737 Max crashes that occurred in 2018 and 2019, according to attorneys representing the victims' families. show more
June 21, 2024
News

Here’s What the Boeing CEO Has to Say About His Safety Record.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun faced scrutiny from lawmakers on Capitol Hill for the first time earlier this week, addressing numerous safety concerns and management issues under his leadership. While many observers believed Calhoun would take responsibility for the company’s numerous alleged safety lapses, the Boeing CEO instead struck a defiant tone, claiming he is proud of the company’s safety record.

During a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Calhoun expressed regret for Boeing’s errors that led to fatal airline crashes and acknowledged the company’s need to restore public trust. However, he consistently avoided taking direct personal responsibility. Calhoun also defended Boeing’s safety culture, expressing pride in the company’s actions in response to the safety lapses.

HAWLEY VERSUS CALHOUN.

When questioned by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) about receiving a lucrative raise despite Boeing’s poor financial performance and calls for his resignation, Calhoun maintained his commitment to seeing his term through. The Boeing CEO secured a 45 percent raise for himself contrasted with a 1 percent increase for machinists over eight years. Calhoun’s salary is north of $20 million annually, and he will receive a $45 million severance package when he retires later this year.

This response and his repeated inability to provide clear answers about company policies and safety accountability drew criticism from lawmakers. Hawley specifically accused him of deflecting blame onto employees rather than management.

LACK OF COMPETITION & SAFETY.

Regulatory attention heightened sharply following an incident on January 5, when a Boeing jet’s door plug detached shortly after takeoff. The aviation industry’s limited competition—often described as a duopoly between Boeing and Airbus—means airlines have minimal flexibility to switch manufacturers without substantial costs and retraining. Consequently, customer dissatisfaction has little impact on Boeing’s market position. Public outcry also appears to have minimal effect on the company’s operations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reviewing Boeing’s submitted plans to address its safety issues, and the Justice Department (DOJ) has initiated a criminal investigation into the January incident.

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Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun faced scrutiny from lawmakers on Capitol Hill for the first time earlier this week, addressing numerous safety concerns and management issues under his leadership. While many observers believed Calhoun would take responsibility for the company's numerous alleged safety lapses, the Boeing CEO instead struck a defiant tone, claiming he is proud of the company's safety record. show more
March 1, 2024
Corruption
Lawfare

NY AG Letitia James Spent Over $13,500 On Trips To Puerto Rico, Other Luxury Travel Totaling $250K in 2023.

New York Attorney General Letitia James’ campaign spent nearly $250,000 on travel, dining, accommodation, and campaign consultants throughout the 2023 calendar year, according to recent campaign finance filings. A series of expenditures for trips to Puerto Rico between July and December, totaling over $13,500, are drawing particular scrutiny. Some of these payments were given descriptively labeled purposes like “compliance” or “advertising,” while others remained vague or unclear.

The James for NY 2026 campaign splurged on luxury airline flights, nightclub outings, and extensive consulting fees. James is not up for re-election until 2026. These expenditures included over $218,000 paid to various “campaign consultants” between March and December.

James, who won re-election as New York Attorney General in November 2022, earned national attention for prosecuting former President Donald Trump in a civil fraud case earlier this year. Campaign filings indicate that thousands of dollars were spent at hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs while the Trump case was ongoing.

Amid these affairs, James’ campaign also shelled out thousands at the 48 Lounge in New York City, a venue that prides itself on offering a “luxurious and intimate atmosphere.” Marked as a fundraising expense, this expenditure occurred in September 2023, with a price tag of over $5,000. Additionally, the campaign shelled out over $2,700, paid to multiple airlines between August and November. When questioned about campaign spending, representatives from James’s campaign offered no immediate response.

Other national figures in Democrat politics have been criticized for outsized campaign and public taxpayer spending on entertainment and travel. The National Pulse previously reported that both Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) have come under fire for spending thousands of dollars on flights, childcare, trips to Europe, and even Super Bowl tickets.

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New York Attorney General Letitia James’ campaign spent nearly $250,000 on travel, dining, accommodation, and campaign consultants throughout the 2023 calendar year, according to recent campaign finance filings. A series of expenditures for trips to Puerto Rico between July and December, totaling over $13,500, are drawing particular scrutiny. Some of these payments were given descriptively labeled purposes like “compliance” or “advertising,” while others remained vague or unclear. show more
January 4, 2024
William Upton
Immigration
World

REVEALED: O’Keefe’s Migrant Exposé Shows US Taxpayers Funding NGO Run by Former British Foreign Minister Shipping Illegals into America.

A new video exposé by journalist James O’Keefe has exposed a facility in Arizona allegedly run by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) serving as a transportation center, shuttling illegal immigrants to the nearby Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. From there, the illegal immigrants are able to board flights to other cities across the United States.

The IRC is a gargantuan, globalist non-governmental organization (NGO) which boasted a total 2021 budget of over $1 billion. David Miliband, former British Foreign Minister, member of the Labour Party, and oft-tapped future UK Prime Minister currently serves as its president.

In 2021 alone, the IRC was the recipient of $415 million in U.S. taxpayer dollars through government grants. Agencies which fund the group include the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration ($178 million), the Department of Health and Human Services ($123 million), and the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance ($114 million). In addition to the U.S. government, the European Union gave the IRC $75 million in 2021.

When O’Keefe tried to question an employee at the Phoenix facility – an old school building which the organization has repurposed – he was offered a monetary bribe to go away. Another employee of the facility intervened telling her colleague – in Spanish – to “say nothing.” The facility appears to be run by Thomas Robles – who prior to joining IRC served as the executive director of an Arizona-based leftist group called Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA). In an exchange with O’Keefe, Robles called the journalist a ‘domestic terrorist’ before contacting the local sheriff’s office.

The nebulous network of NGOs and non-profit groups who are facilitating the unchecked flow of illegal immigrants into the United States making it difficult to determine the border crisis’s true cost to American taxpayers. Many of these groups receive generous government grants and act as unofficial extensions of the Biden government – but just how much remains unclear.

WATCH:

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A new video exposé by journalist James O'Keefe has exposed a facility in Arizona allegedly run by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) serving as a transportation center, shuttling illegal immigrants to the nearby Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. From there, the illegal immigrants are able to board flights to other cities across the United States. show more