Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie didn't get the job as administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, but he has stepped up his public call for something to do be done about the nation's air industry that is seeing increasing flight delays, a shortage of air traffic controllers, security strains and other issues.
Dubie is also a pilot, so he gets to be the guy in the cockpit who informs the passengers that they'll be sitting on the ground a while longer.
With the announcement that Acting Administrator Bobby Sturgell will be the president's nominee for the job, Dubie issued a statement calling for changes:
There’s “a huge challenge ahead,” he said, “to fix our nation’s air traffic
control problems, city-to-city, state-to-state and coast-to-coast. Bobby
Sturgell’s experience and leadership ability will be key. The sooner he’s
confirmed, the sooner he’ll be able to devote all his energies to leading
the FAA.”
Dubie stated, “Air transportation safety, security and
service are a huge concern for local economies in every state, no matter
whether you’re flying in and out of a major urban hub or a regional airport
in rural America. Aviation is as local as it is global.”
Dubie isn't talking about whether he will run for another term as lieutenant governor in 2008. He has said he won't discuss it until the calendar approaches the year-out mark from the election.
For now, though, Dubie has more important matters on his mind. His father, Clem Dubie of Essex Junction, died Tuesday at home.
- Terri Hallenbeck
