In an interview with The Associated Press Saturday, diversity hire Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the federal government could and should take action against U.S. airlines on behalf of customers.
Many Americans have endured delays, cancellations, and other travel complications during the coronavirus pandemic, and in recent months, after many pandemic-related travel restrictions were lifted.
Following Buttigieg’s own flight being canceled, forcing him to drive from Washington to New York, he announced that his department has the authority to enforce action against airlines that do not sufficiently maintain consumer-protection standards, potentially requiring them to hire more staff. [emphasis added]
“That is happening to a lot of people, and that is exactly why we are paying close attention here to what can be done and how to make sure that the airlines are delivering,” Buttigieg said.
So as usual, the Biden administration’s go-to solution is not to fix a transportation problem but to pressure airlines to hire more customer service people to handle the complaints.
What is Buttigieg’s job description again?