Diversity strikes the FAA

Trouble in the Skies

Really worth reading the entire lengthy article, here are some choice quotes:

Quote:

"FOX Business' "Trouble in the Skies," a six month investigation of the FAA’s new hiring practices, uncovered changes that may put the nation’s flying public at risk as well as allegations that the newest air traffic control recruits had access to answers on a key test that helped them gain jobs with the FAA. ... Also uncovered was an FAA effort to promote diversity that discarded 3000 qualified college graduates with degrees in air traffic control despite their following FAA procedure and obtaining FAA accredited degrees."

Quote:

"It takes several years of study to acquire the complex skills necessary to become an air traffic controller, or ATC. It’s considered among the highest pressured jobs in America. ... The FAA says it created the BQ (Biographical Questionnaire) to promote diversity among its work force. All air traffic control applicants are required to take it. Those who pass are deemed eligible and those who fail are ruled ineligible."

Quote:

"In 2014, 28,000 people took the BQ and 1591 were offered jobs. FOX Business, as first reported on FBN’s “The Willis Report”, has uncovered evidence that FAA employees’ including some within the agency’s human resources department may have helped applicants cheat on that test."

Quote:

"An FAA press release issued in April 2013 says, “Administrator Michael Huerta has made an historic commitment to transform the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) into a more diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects, understands, and relates to the diverse customers we serve.”"

Quote:

"The FAA made those changes based on a barrier analysis started in 2012 which identified, “… four of seven decision points in the air traffic controller hiring process that resulted in adverse impact to applicants from at least one demographic group.” In other words, the agency’s analysis determined there were barriers for minority applicants to obtain the FAA’s air traffic control jobs."

Quote:

“You’re toying with lives. You’re toying with students who invested so much time and effort into this and you’re also toying with aviation safety."

Many more good quotes I'd include but I don't want to exceed the limit, whatever that may be. The article is pretty vast so this is a very small bit of it.

Anyone who thought a crucial field like this would be spared from the lowering of standards to get more diversity, on account of the consequences of doing so being fatal... well, you'd better think again I suppose.

The most amazing part is the FAA guy calling applicants and letting them know he's e-mailing them all the answers to the BQ test so they'll pass it.

via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/1PRQUSs