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☆ U.S. must address rise in aviation close calls - officials
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

McLEAN, Virginia, March 15 (Reuters) - Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Wednesday the United States cannot wait for the next "catastrophic event" to address an uptick in aviation close calls that sparked alarm. "We have seen an uptick in serious close calls that we must address together. National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy said the board has issued seven recommendations on runway collisions that have not been acted on. "There have been far too many close calls," Homendy said at the summit. "In light of the recent close calls and the attention being focused on even routine go-arounds — are we emphasizing efficiency over safety?

☆ Biden administration wants Congress to bar airlines from charging family seating fees
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Carlos BarriaWASHINGTON, March 13 (Reuters) - The Biden administration on Monday asked U.S. lawmakers to approve legislation to bar airlines from charging family seating fees if adjacent seats are available during booking. The bill would direct airlines to offer refunds or seats on another flight if adjacent seats were unavailable under certain conditions. Last week, American Airlines(AAL.O), Alaska Airlines(ALK.N) and Frontier Airlines(ULCC.O) agreed to guarantee in customer service plans not to charge family seating fees if specific conditions are met. Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) Chief Executive Bob Jordan said last week the airline is in discussions with USDOT about the family seating dashboard. USDOT has begun drafting regulations to end all family seating fees but that could take years to finalize.

☆ Biden administration urges Congress to ban airlines from charging families to sit together
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Biden administration is asking Congress to pass legislation that would ban airlines from charging fees for families who are traveling with children under the age of 14 to sit together, its latest attempt to crack down on add-on charges for consumers, the Transportation Department said Monday. President Joe Biden has vowed to stamp out so-called "junk fees" across industries including hotels, airlines and banks. Earlier this month, Alaska Airlines , American Airlines and Frontier Airlines said they would include family-seating guarantees in customer service plans, violations of which could result in DOT fines. United Airlines last month said it would give families traveling with children access to seats that normally cost extra at the time of booking. The Biden administration's draft legislation calls for refunds to passengers who cannot get adjacent seats for children in their party.

☆ Pence says Trump 'endangered my family' on Jan. 6
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"President Trump was wrong," Pence said during remarks at the annual white-tie Gridiron Dinner attended by politicians and journalists. In the days leading up to Jan. 6, 2021, Trump pressured Pence to overturn President Joe Biden's election victory as he presided over the ceremonial certification of the results. Pence refused, and when rioters stormed the Capitol, some chanted that they wanted to "hang Mike Pence." With his remarks, Pence solidified his place in a broader debate within the Republican Party over how to view the attack. "Make no mistake about it, what happened that day was a disgrace," Pence said in his Gridiron Dinner remarks.

☆ Reaction to Biden's 2024 budget proposal
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Katharine Jackson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Leah MillisWASHINGTON, March 9 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday delivered a budget proposal that includes a robust spending agenda, higher taxes on the wealthy and plans to reduce the deficit, a document that forms the blueprint for his expected 2024 re-election bid. Here is reaction to Biden's budget proposal to Congress for the 2024 fiscal year:HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE CHAIR JODEY ARRINGTON, A REPUBLICAN FROM TEXAS:"His policies have led to 40-year record inflation, soaring interest rates, and the prospect of a sustained economic recession. Unfortunately, Biden’s latest budget is more of the same bloated bureaucracy at the expense of working families, while sticking our grandchildren with the bill." HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER HAKEEM JEFFRIES, ON TWITTER:"The Biden budget plan protects Social Security, strengthens Medicare and invests in our children. SENATOR CHUCK GRASSLEY:"Even with near-record revenues, President Biden wants to raise taxes on every segment of America.

☆ Miami's popular Republican Mayor Suarez weighs GOP challenge to Trump for White House in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Miami's popular Republican Mayor Francis Suarez has been privately holding court with wealthy political financiers as he considers challenging former President Donald Trump for the GOP nomination in 2024, according to party fundraisers and donors familiar with the matter. Since late last year, Suarez has been privately laying the groundwork for a possible run for the White House. If Suarez enters the presidential primary, he follows another popular mayor who made a longshot run for the White House. The apparent feud between DeSantis and Suarez could come to a head if both run for president in 2024. The Miami mayor will be back in New York in April holding similar meetings, the fundraisers said.

☆ US safety board opens probe into Norfolk Southern after derailments
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Norfolk Southern has been under fire after several derailments of its trains, particularly one on Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio that caused cars carrying toxic vinyl chloride and other hazardous chemicals to spill and catch fire. Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw is scheduled to testify on Thursday before a Senate committee on the East Palestine derailment. Since December 2021, NTSB has launched investigation teams to five significant accidents involving Norfolk Southern including a March 4 derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed near Springfield, Ohio. As part of the special investigation, the NTSB will also review a October 2022 Norfolk Southern derailment in Sandusky, Ohio. "The continued safe operations of Norfolk Southern is vital to the United States.

☆ Elizabeth Warren leads cavalry into deal battles
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Jonathan Guilford | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It would be the third curious regulatory intervention in recent weeks, each encouraged by Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren. In a September letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Warren argued that the DOT should use its own tools, specifically in the Spirit situation. UnitedHealth (UNH.N) beat back a federal lawsuit against its plan to buy Change Healthcare; Facebook owner Meta Platforms (META.O) shrugged off an FTC attempt to stop its purchase of fitness app developer Within. JetBlue says it built time for a lawsuit into the Spirit merger agreement. As the senator charges up the competition cavalry, dealmakers may have to redraw their battle plans.

☆ U.S. pressures airlines to commit to ending family seating fees
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, March 6 (Reuters) - Three U.S. airlines agreed to commit in writing to eliminating family seating fees if adjacent seats are available during booking, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) said on Monday. USDOT is unveiling a new government dashboard highlighting airline commitments after its four-month review found no airlines previously guaranteed fee-free family seating. Airlines for America, which represents large U.S. airlines, says its carriers do not charge for family seating but many do not include commitments in customer service plans. Alaska Airlines said it has "always cared for families on our flights and family seating is something we’ve never charged for." USDOT has begun drafting regulations to end family seating fees but that could take years to finalize.

☆ Only 3 airlines guarantee parents can sit next to their children for free, new DOT dashboard shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Alaska, American, and Frontier guarantee children under 13 can sit next to an accompanying adult for free. Alaska, American, and Frontier are the only US airlines that currently guarantee parents can sit next to their children without paying extra fees, according to the tracker. Alaska, American, and Frontier guarantee children under 13 can sit next to an accompanying adult for free. Before the dashboard's launch, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Frontier Airlines each adjusted their policies to ensure parents can sit with their children free of charge, according to the agency. "Now, all 10 airlines guarantee meals and rebooking, and nine guarantee hotels when an airline issue causes a cancellation or delay."

☆ Another Norfolk Southern train has derailed in Ohio, causing mass power outages
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( Bethany Dawson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A Norfolk Southern train derailed on Saturday in Springfield, Ohio. This is the second Norfolk Southern to come off the tracks in just over a month, following the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 3. Clark County officials said that the second train was not carrying any hazardous materials, and no one was hurt, according to a Facebook statement. County officials said 20 of the 212 cars derailed, with four tankers carrying Diesel Exhaust Fluid Polyacrylamide Water Solution. —Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) March 5, 2023The crash has caused more than 1,500 residents to lose power as a result of downed power lines, with Clark County officials saying they are unsure of when this will be restored.

☆ Another Norfolk Southern train derails in Ohio, railroad says no toxins aboard
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( Brad Brooks | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Norfolk Southern said the train that derailed near Springfield was not carrying any hazardous materials and that no one was hurt. The accident follows the Feb. 3 derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine, Ohio, 180 miles (290 km)northeast of Springfield. Norfolk Southern said in an emailed statement that Saturday's derailment of about 20 cars of a 212-car train happened as it was traveling southbound near Springfield. "No hazardous materials are involved and there have been no reported injuries," Norfolk Southern said. "We don't believe hazardous materials were involved," he said.

☆ Norfolk Southern and Other Freight Railroads Agree to Join Federal Close-Call Reporting System
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Esther Fung | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment has led to more scrutiny of railroad safety practices. Norfolk Southern Corp. and its rivals said Thursday they have agreed to join a federal system that lets employees confidentially report close calls, a program the biggest freight railroads had refused to join for years. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Monday had asked the chief executives of the seven so-called Class 1 railroads— Union Pacific Corp., Norfolk Southern, BNSF Railway, CSX Corp., Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd., Canadian National Railway Co. and Kansas City Southern—to join the Federal Railroad Administration’s close-call reporting system.

☆ Biden urges US carriers to follow American Airlines on family seating
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden on Tuesday called on U.S. airlines to follow American Airlines (AAL.O) in committing to eliminating family seating fees as part of their customer service plans. Airlines for America, which represents the largest U.S. airlines, has said its carriers do not charge for family seating. Other carriers have not adopted the commitment in customer service plans. Carriers that do not honor commitments in written plans can face enforcement actions from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) said Tuesday it "does not charge family seating fees and regardless of the ticket class purchased, will always work with customers on a case-by-case basis to ensure their family seating needs are met."

☆ Pete Buttigieg's presidential hopes make him an easy target for Republicans — and his slow response in Ohio gave them plenty of ammo
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg hasn't ruled out running for the White House again. He's in the spotlight and the hot seat far more than most other transportation secretaries before him. The search-engine test shows Buttigieg has become a high-profile target who finds himself in the spotlight far more than most other transportation secretaries before him. However, no transportation secretary has likely entered the job with more star power. After he strode onto the stage of The Late Show last fall, host Stephen Colbert noted that not many transportation secretaries have been guests on late night talk shows.

☆ American Airlines is the first US carrier to guarantee families sit together — or be punished by law
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

American Airlines will guarantee children under 15 can sit with an accompanying adult on its flights. The policy has been published in its customer service plan, meaning it is now enforceable by law. Because the "family seating" plan is now filed with the government, American could face penalties if it doesn't follow through. "American Airlines lets families sit together at no additional cost," an American spokesperson told Insider. The difference now is that American has officially put this process into its customer service plan — a commitment enforceable by law.

☆ Rail unions tell Biden officials workers have fallen ill at Norfolk Southern derailment site
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Pete Buttigieg, US transportation secretary, speaks during a news conference near the site of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, US, on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. The presidents of U.S. railroad unions told Biden administration officials that rail workers have fallen ill at the Norfolk Southern derailment site in East Palestine, Ohio, in a push for more train safety. The meeting comes on the heels of letters sent to both the DOT and the FRA Wednesday in which union representations claimed rail workers had gotten sick at the derailment site. According to the letter, Norfolk Southern rail workers who have worked or continue to work the cleanup site have reported experiencing "migraines and nausea." One worker reportedly asked his supervisor to be transferred off the derailment site because of his symptoms, but never heard back from his supervisor and was left at the job site.

☆ US watchdog to audit Buttigieg government jet use
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - A U.S. government watchdog will audit Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's use of government airplanes for some trips as part of a broad review dating back to 2017. The Transportation Department Office of Inspector General (OIG) will review 18 flights Buttigieg made on Federal Aviation Administration-operated (FAA) planes on seven total trips after a request by Republican Senator Marco Rubio. "Glad this will be reviewed independently so misleading narratives can be put to rest," Buttigieg wrote on Twitter. Elaine Chao served as Transportation secretary from 2017 through early 2021 under President Donald Trump. Rubio requested the review in December after Fox News reported on the flights and asked if any violations of Transportation Department policy were identified.

[1/4] U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to the media before departing the White House for the weekend, in Washington, U.S., February 24, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn HocksteinWASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday he has no plans to visit the site of the train derailment that spilled toxic chemicals in an Ohio town earlier in February. The Biden administration has said Norfolk Southern must pay for the damage and clean-up efforts. Some Republicans have criticized the Biden administration over the incident while some Democrats have pointed to regulations rescinded under former President Donald Trump. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg toured the wreckage on Thursday after the Biden administration was criticized for not sending a cabinet official to the site sooner.

☆ An American Airlines passenger forced the flight to make an emergency landing after she charged the cockpit after she couldn't get a drink: reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

An "unruly" passenger aboard an American Airlines flight forced an emergency landing this week. The traveler allegedly rushed at the cockpit after she couldn't get a cocktail, according to reports. "I started freaking out because so many people started getting up on me," Miles told the news outlet. However, law enforcement ultimately dismissed the charge against Miles following an investigation, the airport told Insider on Friday. The FBI told Insider "no further action is planned unless additional information or evidence comes to light."

☆ Norfolk Southern CEO apologizes to Ohio townspeople, vows to 'do what's right'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Shaw sat down with people from the town of 4,700 people for the CNN event, repeatedly apologizing and saying, "We're going to do what's right for the community." U.S. and Ohio environmental regulators and the company hired experts who say testing shows the water and air are safe. Norfolk Southern reported net profit of $3.27 billion in 2022 when it paid nearly $1.2 billion in dividends to shareholders and bought back $3.1 billion worth of shares. Insurance will help offset those costs, including a liability policy that will cover up to $1.1 billion in certain situations. Stewart said he was planning to sell his house so he could retire but now his property value had plummeted.

☆ Norfolk Southern wants to 'make things right' after Ohio train crash, CFO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 22 (Reuters) - Norfolk Southern (NSC.N) will take responsibility for cleaning up the environmental damage from this month's train derailment and controlled detonation of hazardous materials in East Palestine, Ohio, its finance chief said on Wednesday. "We take responsibility ... We're fully dedicated to making things right," George said at an investor conference hosted by Barclays. Norfolk Southern will quantify costs of the clean up no later than its first-quarter earnings, he said. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has said it would release a preliminary report on its initial findings on Thursday into the derailment. He will be joined by representatives from the Federal Railroad Administration and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

☆ Trump, Buttigieg and the East Palestine Train Derailment
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Former President Donald Trump arrives at the East Palestine Fire Department in East Palestine, Ohio, Feb. 22. It’s still unclear what caused the Feb. 3 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, but Donald Trump and his opponents aren’t letting the tragedy go to political waste. The former President on Wednesday lambasted the Biden Administration’s response during a visit to the rural Ohio town, while Democrats spin a progressive parable of corporate greed. Enter Mr. Trump, who on Wednesday donned a superman cape and handed out bottled water while denouncing Biden officials. “They were intending to do nothing for you.”

☆ Senators urge halt to Chinese carriers overflying Russia on U.S. flights
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Al Drago/Pool via REUTERS/File PhotoFeb 23 (Reuters) - The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the committee's top Republican urged the Biden administration to halt Chinese airlines and other non-American carriers from flying over Russia on U.S. routes. U.S. airlines and other foreign carriers are barred from flying over Russia. Russia banned airlines from the United States from overflights after the U.S. barred Russia flights in March 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine. U.S. air carriers currently serve Shanghai from the United States through a stop in Incheon, South Korea, while Chinese carriers serve the United States directly, flying through Russian airspace. The senators want the Biden administration to prohibit U.S. government personnel on official travel from taking flights known to use Russian airspace.

☆ Federal authorities release preliminary report on Norfolk Southern train derailment in Ohio
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Workers continue to clean up remaining tank cars, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, in East Palestine, Ohio, following the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern freight train derailment. Federal transportation officials released a preliminary report Thursday examining the derailment of a Norfolk Southern train carrying dangerous chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio. On Feb. 3 at around 9 p.m., an eastbound Norfolk Southern freight train derailed, including 11 tank cars carrying hazardous materials that subsequently ignited. The Norfolk Southern train was equipped with a hot bearing detector system, designed to detect overheated bearings. Due to the possibility of a catastrophic explosion that could have sent shrapnel up to a mile, Norfolk Southern carried out a controlled release three days later.

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