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William J. McGee

@wjm-air.bsky.social

1.3K followers 580 following 270 posts

Senior Fellow Aviation & Travel @ American Economic Liberties Project. Journalist. Teacher. FAA-licensed aircraft dispatcher. Author: ATTENTION ALL PASSENGERS; HALF THE CHILD. Fighting for blue skies--literally. Stickler for using "literally" correctly.

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William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · Mar 16

Many thx to my colleague & friend @celestepewter.bsky.social for lots of new followers! I have other lives as a novelist, journalist, & teacher. But this page is mostly about fixing airline passenger rights, safety, & competition. I'm the guy outnumbered 5-1 by airline execs at hearings in Congress.

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William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 1d

Yes, that site is handy for travelers.

William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 2d

"DOT Secretary Sean Duffy said some controllers are calling in sick as the shutdown, now in its seventh day, adds stress on workers. He estimated staffing has at times dropped to 50% in some areas."

Past shutdowns indicate there's more of this to come.
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Burbank and other US airports see delays as shutdown hits air travel

There were delays at a number of US airports on Monday as officials said the government shutdown is affecting air traffic control staffing.

www.bbc.com

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William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 2d

My new column for @Frommers details not just the obvious effects of the shutdown on travelers--unpaid air traffic controllers & TSA screeners--but the dangers of furloughing FAA safety inspectors. Who watches the airlines & Boeing if they self-police?
www.frommers.com/tips/miscell...

The Unexpected Travel Effects of the Federal Shutdown

The U.S. government shutdown is changing travel. Unfortunately, some consequences aren't being discussed—particularly what it means for safety.

www.frommers.com

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William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 4d

Truer word never spoken:
"Airline loyalty programs used to be built around making regular passengers feel special...Some perks remain, but many of the things that made people truly loyal have gone away because they're not profitable for the airline."
www.thestreet.com/travel/ameri...

Delta, United, and American Airlines drop popular loyalty reward

Some airlines have been more open about the changes than others.

www.thestreet.com

Reposted by William J. McGee

American Economic Liberties Project @econliberties.bsky.social · 7d

"We’re at an inflection point," @wjm-air.bsky.social tells Senators at a hearing on competition in aviation.

"Congress needs to investigate the failures of deregulation – and, just as it did 50 years ago, hear from the public, not just airline executives and their lobbyists.

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William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 8d

www.economicliberties.us/press-releas...

Economic Liberties’ William J. McGee to Testify Before Senate Judiciary on Airline Consolidation Crisis - Economic Liberties’ William J. McGee to Testify Before Senate Judiciary on Airline Consolidati...

This afternoon at 2:30pm EST, William J. McGee, Senior Fellow for Aviation and Travel at the American Economic Liberties Project, will testify in the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Compet...

www.economicliberties.us

William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 8d

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 8d

All - my (favorite!) coworker Bill is testifying in front of Senate Judiciary this AM on competition w/ the airline industry.

Please watch here: www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee-ac...

Reposted by William J. McGee

American Economic Liberties Project @econliberties.bsky.social · 8d

Don't miss @wjm-air.bsky.social and @ganeshsitaraman.bsky.social as they testify at a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on competition in the airline industry.

Tune in at 2:30PM EST⬇️
www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee-ac...

Examining Competition in America's Skies | United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary

United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary

www.judiciary.senate.gov

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William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 9d

Looking forward to testifying in the Senate tomorrow on the topic of U.S. airline competition.
www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee-ac...

Examining Competition in America's Skies | United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary

United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary

www.judiciary.senate.gov

William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 14d

The "dek" in this story says it all:
"'They are looking to rescind or weaken virtually all of the [consumer] protections that we have,' said Bill McGee, senior fellow for aviation and travel at the American Economic Liberties Project."
www.law.com/nationallawj...

DOT Moves to Roll Back Biden-Era Airline Consumer Protection Regulations | Law.com

“They are looking to rescind or weaken virtually all of the [consumer] protections that we have,” said Bill McGee, senior fellow for aviation and travel at the American Economic Liberties Project.

www.law.com

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Reposted by William J. McGee

American Economic Liberties Project @econliberties.bsky.social · 16d

“The fact that it’s treated as such a pie in the sky idea … speaks to how dysfunctional we are in this country in how we view consumer protections."

ICYMI: @wjm-air.bsky.social calls out the Trump admin tossing out consumer protection rules in favor of big airline lobbyists.

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William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 17d

"McGee said he questions whether people voted for such decisions: 'Did anybody vote to say, "Well, when I'm shopping for an airfare, which is one of the most confusing products on the free market anyway, I don't need to know all prices ahead of time?"'"
www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2025/...

The U.S. promised fliers better passenger rights. What happened?

The Transporation Department has rescinded a proposal to expand compensation for flight cancellations and significant delays.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Reposted by William J. McGee

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 17d

All, this is worth reading (and it also includes @wjm-air.bsky.social):

The U.S. promised fliers better passenger rights. What happened?

The Transporation Department has rescinded a proposal to expand compensation for flight cancellations and significant delays.

wapo.st

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William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 18d

Excited to be at the Brooklyn Book Fest tomorrow (Sun/21st, 10am-6pm). Hope to see some book lovers there! I'll be at Booth #134, so stop by and say hi.
brooklynbookfestival.org/wp-content/u...

brooklynbookfestival.org

William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 21d

Meanwhile over Long Island...restricted airspace incident involving Air Force One & Spirit Airlines.
"'I gotta talk to you twice every time,' the air traffic controller said. 'Pay attention. Get off the iPad.'"
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...

Spirit Airlines pilot chastised mid-flight for getting too close to Air Force One

Air Force One was carrying the president and first lady to the UK for a historic state visit

www.independent.co.uk

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William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 23d

Looking forward to the "Fixing Air Travel" panel today at AELP's Anti-Monopoly Summit:
• John Pepper, Allegiant Airlines
• Jen Howard, Former DOT
• William J. McGee, AELP
• Moderator: Grace May, Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator
antimonopolysummit.org

Anti-Monopoly Summit

Join a community of workers, farmers, entrepreneurs, business owners, community activists, policy researchers, advocates, and public officials to build a future where markets are fair and competitive,...

antimonopolysummit.org

William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 23d

Talk about favorite co-workers! Who's better than @celestepewter.bsky.social? Really looking forward to our "Fixing Air Travel" panel discussion on Tuesday.

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · 24d

All, if you care about how we build an anti-monopoly coalition in these times...

You'll want to watch this. You can learn more here: antimonopolysummit.org

And one of my favorite coworkers, @wjm-air.bsky.social, has his airline panel tomorrow - which you don't want to miss.

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William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 24d

"'Since deregulation in 1978, consumers have fewer rights...State courts, legislatures, & attorneys general have no authority over airlines,' Mr. McGee added. 'DOT Secretary is the only sheriff in town & if they side with airlines, consumers are out in the cold.'"
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/11/t...

The Trump Administration Wants to Roll Back Airline Passenger Rights

www.nytimes.com

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William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 25d

www.congress.gov/118/chrg/CHR...

www.congress.gov

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William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 25d

Some--especially my friend, the flight attendant @Heather_Poole--have been speaking about these bleed air issues for years. It even came up in a Congressional hearing I testified at in 2023. It's past time for FAA to act.
www.wsj.com/business/air...

Toxic Fumes Are Leaking Into Airplanes, Sickening Crews and Passengers

Doctors compare brain effects to concussions in NFL players. A Wall Street Journal investigation shows such incidents are increasingly common.

www.wsj.com

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William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 25d

Just had a very rewarding experience at the PASG conference in Toronto, reading from my novel HALF THE CHILD and hearing stories from both parents and grown children about custodial issues. Now it's on to Washington and speaking at a very different conference--on a panel about the airline monopoly!

William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · 28d

Both Sides Now: Dana Laquidara and I will co-present at the Parental Alienation Study Group conference here in Toronto. She'll read from her memoir YOU-KNOW-WHO & I'll read from my novel HALF THE CHILD. It was an excellent discussion at the PASG conference in Philadelphia in 2019.

Reposted by William J. McGee

American Economic Liberties Project @econliberties.bsky.social · 29d

The Trump DOT is making it easier for airline giants to rip you off — tossing out a Biden-era rule that required airlines compensate for severe delays and cancellations.

"The DOT’s agenda reads like it was copy-pasted directly from Airlines for America," says @wjm-air.bsky.social

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William J. McGee @wjm-air.bsky.social · Sep 8

Non-Airlines Alert!...
This week I'll read from my novel HALF THE CHILD @ the Parental Alienation Study Group conference in Toronto. I'm grateful to partner with my friend Dana Laquidara, author of the memoir YOU-KNOW-WHO. Hope to see both old & new friends there.
www.pasg2025toronto.ca/schedule

Schedule | PASG 2025 Conference

Throughout the 2-day conference, we will collectively shift from debating the existence and nature of parental alienation to empowering the judiciary with the latest tools and scholarly knowledge for ...

www.pasg2025toronto.ca

Reposted by William J. McGee

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · Sep 5

Boosting this again -

Bill is an expert and advocate in all things aviation, and tracking what's happening right now + other aviation-related developments closely. Follow him.

(And yes, I work with Bill - and frankly, would be lost without him on these issues.)

Celeste Pewter @celestepewter.bsky.social · Sep 5

all, this is happening. You're going to want to follow @wjm-air.bsky.social.

US drops Biden plan to require airlines to pay compensation for disrupted flights

President Donald Trump's administration said on Thursday it will drop a plan by his predecessor to require airlines to pay passengers cash compensation when U.S. flight disruptions are caused by carriers.

www.reuters.com

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