Tangle Podcast – Air Safety Special: Interview with CNN’s Air Safety Analyst David Soucie

Host: Will Kaback (Tangle Senior Editor)
Guest: David Soucie (CNN Air Safety Analyst, Former FAA Inspector, Author of Safer Skies)
Date: October 11, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode explores how the ongoing government shutdown is affecting air safety in the United States. Will Kaback sits down with David Soucie—an expert in aviation safety—to discuss the realities behind recent news reports of air traffic controller (ATC) shortages, potential risks for travelers, and the broader state of U.S. air infrastructure post the D.C. crash nine months prior. The conversation aims to provide assurance—or frank warnings—for travelers wary of flight safety amid political turmoil and ongoing staffing shortages.

Key Insights & Discussion Points

1. Immediate Impact of Government Shutdown on Air Safety

[03:37–06:22]

• Context: Shutdown has triggered reports of increasing flight delays and cancellations due to ATC shortages.
• Soucie’s View:
  • The current ATC shortages existed before the shutdown; the situation hasn’t dramatically worsened.
  • Air traffic professionals signed on knowing the essential, 24/7 nature of their work—most are committed to staying on the job, even without pay.
  • There are minor increases in sick day requests, but unions have warned controllers not to abuse this.
  • Quote:

    "It's important to point out that everyone in this industry, all the air traffic controllers, the airway safety specialists, the pilots themselves...understand that they have a 24, 7 job." —David Soucie [05:18]

2. 'Sick Day' Upticks: Job Action or Legitimate Absence?

[06:22–07:24]

• A slight uptick in sick days has been observed ("slight uptick" per Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy).
• Soucie explains standard procedure: sick leave only becomes an issue if investigated, usually triggered by suspicious patterns—controllers could face a federal employment ban if their absences are found to be coordinated job actions.
• Quote:

  "If [sick leave] is determined to be some kind of job action... they could be banned from federal employment completely." —David Soucie [05:53]

3. Airport Coverage & Contingency Planning

[07:24–08:58]

• Report: Burbank Airport allegedly went six hours without ATC coverage.
• Soucie clarifies: Even in such cases, contingency plans ensure safety—control can be transferred to alternate facilities; notices inform pilots well ahead of time; normal redundancies are in play.
• Quote:

  "There’s double redundancy and triple redundancy for that type of situation." —David Soucie [07:58]

4. On-the-Ground Perceptions: Industry Voices

[08:58–11:01]

• Soucie reports feedback from pilots (e.g., "Andrew" flying coast-to-coast): No notable changes in day-to-day operations or flight safety.
• Most impacts remain schedule-related, not safety-related; delayed operations but not compromised procedures.
• Advice for Flyers:
  • Expect and mentally prepare for delays.
  • Trust the professionalism of aviation staff.
• Quote:

  "My advice to travelers today...keep calm, plan ahead, make sure that you're prepared for delays...you have professionals that are trying to do the right thing for your safety." —David Soucie [10:27]

5. Changes Since the D.C. Air Crash

[13:16–15:10]

• Post-crash, FAA has become more transparent about airport capacity limits and is more proactive in issuing notices when shortages could affect operations.
• Instead of overworking controllers ("carrying more stations"), FAA now caps capacities and advises carriers and pilots so flights can be adjusted in advance.
• Quote:

  "[FAA] is making notices that this airport is at capacity or that the capacity has changed...So in the past, prior to the incident in Washington, we really didn't see that much at all." —David Soucie [14:22]

6. The 'Pipeline' for New Air Traffic Controllers

[15:10–16:39]

• Discussion on whether the training pipeline is being "expedited" to address shortage:
  • Soucie states expedited training can be safe if it involves longer training hours, not reduced standards.
  • Washout rates for ATC trainees are traditionally high; maintaining quality is paramount.
• Quote:

  "An expedited schedule can certainly be done and still maintain the capability, the capacity...But, what we're looking for...is the knowledge, the skills, the abilities..." —David Soucie [15:41]

• Urges increased budget allocation for training both new and existing ATCs—especially crucial when implementing new systems.

7. Overall Safety Assessment: Should Flyers Worry?

[17:24–19:40]

• Soucie reiterates that U.S. aviation is, by the numbers, exceptionally safe—safer than cars, buses, or trains.
• Stresses the professionalism and dedication of thousands ensuring safety on every flight.
• Triple redundancy is standard; even if one line of defense fails, others are in place, and systems alert for any failures.
• Quote:

  "If you feel unsafe in flying, then don't fly. That's really what it comes down to. But...you’re safer in the sky than you are on a train...or in your car." —David Soucie [17:49]
  "There’s always something that has to be done right now with safety. There always is. But...there's also triple redundancy on everything." —David Soucie [19:17]

Memorable Moment

Turbulence Fears and Communication:
[20:03–21:24]

• Soucie, who is launching mysafeskies.com, recounts a conversation with a turbulence-fearing passenger:

  "I asked her, I said, what is it about turbulence that scares you? She goes, it's just violent. It's scary. And I said, do you know what turbulence is? And she said, yeah, I do. And I said, do you? She goes, actually, I have no idea what turbulence is."
  (Soucie, [20:51])

• His new site aims to demystify such concerns and help hesitant flyers feel more informed and comfortable.

Resources/Where to Follow David Soucie

• YouTube: Search "David Sousi" or "Dr. Seuss"
• Website: mysafeskies.com (for hesitant flyers and resources on air travel safety—launching soon)
• Book: Safer Skies

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Episode premise & why this matters: [01:37–04:07]
• How are shortages affecting air safety? [04:10–06:22]
• ATC sick days & labor concerns: [06:22–07:24]
• Burbank Airport and mitigation steps: [07:24–08:58]
• Industry reports from pilots: [08:58–11:01]
• Post-tragedy changes at FAA: [13:16–15:10]
• ATC training pipeline & challenges: [15:10–16:39]
• Is it safe to fly right now? [17:24–19:40]
• Resources for worried travelers: [20:03–21:24]

Summary Takeaways

• The U.S. aviation system remains exceptionally safe, even amid government shutdowns and staffing shortages.
• Most current issues manifest as flight schedule delays, not increased risk.
• FAA has improved transparency and contingency planning post-D.C. crash, prioritizing manageable workloads and clearer communication.
• Training and recruitment of new ATCs remains a challenge but is under attention.
• Fly with confidence; the industry’s multiple backup systems and professional workforce continue to make air travel the safest mode of transportation.

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