How safe is aircraft travel today?

[lightbulb27]

The photo is of another tragic plane crash that occurred today, costing the lives of a former NASCAR racer and his family and several other people. Exact count is not known.

There's frequently small plane crashes... however,

I've heard there is a shortage of aircraft mechanics. Seeing parts issues and quality changes in other industries, post covid, would also make me wonder if that occurs in aircraft parts and maintenance. Add to it so many other factors such as prior govts push for equality in hiring leading to lower standards, and recent governmental changes in the FAA, one wonders, it seems a fair question.

If you work in the industry, what do you see and think?

As safe as ever

It's less safe because

Terribly unsafe, I avoid flying

Other

Updates

5 mo

how do I get in trouble and lose xper points on my own question. omg GAG has gone psycho!
I'm taking emotional leave for abuse by a social bully.

[NathanDavis]

I don't know, but there's a whole lot more demand for private flying than ever before and there's also an increased use of older planes rather than new

and because another entire family in Mexico City also suffered the same faith a couple of days ago... and I happened to see news on YouTube about it, this other video came up

apparently... a lot of rich people and private companies do get parts and even safety checks from not-certified and obscure sources... which has the FAA needing to out in the hunt for these dangerous and illegal practices... or something like that

https://www.youtube.com/embed/HF3hwZAEC7Y

[lightbulb27]

that's positive they are doing this level of QA!

[NathanDavis]

not sure if entirely positive...

if the FAA are investigating bad actors, that's because there's plenty of bad actors doing bad things out there

[WindAtMyBack]

"I've heard there is a shortage of aircraft mechanics."

I don't know about airline mechanics. But I do know there is a shortage of tradesmen in general. All we hear is the mantra "go to college" if you want to make something of yourself.

That's not even true and never has been. But a lot of people believe it. We have too many people going to college, which is causing shortages in other areas.

I don't know if flying is any less safe than before. But I think it's plausible that there is a shortage of mechanics.

[exitseven]

The air traffic control system has been a mess for over a decade. There have been many near misses and the horrendous helicopter /plane crash last January. Sec of Transportation Sean Duffy has been working on upgrading the technology and hire more Air Traffic Controllers. Airlines are bot maintaining their planes as much as they did and the TSA is totally incompetent. I have been waiting for a terrorist attack on an airplane for quite some time.

[Pterodon]

As a licensed professional aircraft mechanic they’re still as maintained as much as ever with new things to inspect and or modify constantly bringing them in. Shut up about what you don’t know

[exitseven]

@Pterodon I know somebody who just retired from united. He was a mechanic like his father was.. He used to tell me that he was not surprised when a jetliner would fall out of the sky

[Pterodon]

I don’t believe any I knew somebody who said stories

[LongLiveBillGates]

I have been waiting for a terrorist attack on an airplane for quite some time.

That proves that the TSA has been very effective at preventing terrorism and is necessary for preventing terrorism. Without the TSA we would be seeing a 911 or worse every week or even more. The TSA has made flying safe and continues to enhance security making flying even safer. Everyone should be thankful and appreciative for the TSA.

[Spencer10]

Still safe... but less so due to falling experience levels of crews and Engineers. Not rare to have very low time pilots in command or crewing Transport Category Aircraft. The industry does not value experience... its all about filling the seats.

[Pterodon]

Not true. The value experience but DEI forced them to fill seats alright but the wrong ones.

[abc3643]

It's rather safe. The downside is bad management decisions which compromise safety for profit. But the people who design, build, and operate aircraft do very good work and are safety conscious. It's when management wants to cut corners or the GOP wants to cut back on spending for safety and efficiency that you begin to have problems.

I say this as an avionics systems engineer who started as one 20 years ago today (M 19 DEC 2005).

[LongLiveBillGates]

The TSA has made flying very safe. And they continue to enhance security to make flying safer. The TSA has done an excellent job in preventing terrorism and preventing us from seeing another 911 and the Real ID mandate will make flying even safer. I am very thankful for the TSA and all they do to making flying safe.

[Pterodon]

As a licensed professional aircraft mechanic for over 20 years it’s as safe as ever

[lightbulb27]

good to hear, on private/small planes?

What personality attributes and skills you think go with the job?

[Pterodon]

I’ve worked everything from Cessna 150’s to 747’s. I’ve worked private, corporate, commercial and military. Must be mechanically inclined and driven working mostly by feel than sight and must have a love of all planes at an early age. I knew when I was 5 I would be in the aviation industry

[Alex-Snow]

I just flew home from college yesterday for winter break. I felt safe. But I think the FAA does need to update their outdated systems

[AviatorTom]

Commercial aircraft are as safe as they have ever been. General aviation is also very safe, though there is the occasional incident, like the one that took the Biffle family's lives in North Carolina.

[Jeff51]

Wife n I go to Philippines yearly. Still alive.

[Anordinaryguy123]

I dont care how safe is, it is the safest way to travel

[Dargil]

Airline travel is pretty safe. Travel on a private plane is not so safe.

[Massageman]

On a passenger/mile basis, air travel is the safest means available.

[DrPepper12]

It's completely an absolutely safe. Why are we having this discussion in 2025?

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Far more safer then the morons out there driving causing hundreds of car accidents and deaths daily.

[Jerre]

Aircraft traveling is safer than traveling by auto

[Anonymous]

Safer than cars, trains, or boats... but when an accident happens, it causes much more damage.

[In_Trance]

Apparently it's not as safe as driving a NASCAR

[beefcakebradybatson]

The first.