PILOT FIGHTS BACK... Claims FAA's COVID vaccine policies hurt aviation safety. An experienced pilot has raised serious allegations against American Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), claiming he faced retaliation for his opposition to COVID-19 vaccination policies that he believes threaten personal freedoms and aviation safety. Captain Bahig Saliba, who devoted 27 years to American Airlines, initiated legal action against the airline and the FAA due to what he describes as retaliation and violations of federal aviation laws. Saliba's comprehensive approach calls attention to the critical implications of these policies on both pilot safety and passengers. Saliba alleges that his refusal to comply with vaccine mandates led to various forms of retaliation, including being subjected to a fitness-for-duty examination without justification - despite having an unblemished record. "I was subjected to undue scrutiny," he stated, illustrating the unsettling environment for pilots who question mandates. His concerns extend beyond personal implications. He emphasizes the potential risks that coerced medical treatments pose to aviation safety, pointing out that under coercion, pilots may withhold vital health information that could impact their performance. Central to Saliba's argument is the concept of regulatory discretion in federal agencies, particularly within the FAA. He asserts, "Agencies may not violate the law, but they often do," highlighting a perceived leniency that he argues endangers public safety. Dr. Susan Northrup, the FAA's Federal Air Surgeon, is singled out for her significant authority in the medical certification of pilots. Saliba explains the implications of this authority, especially considering that the FAA relies on pilots' health self-disclosures to ensure passenger safety. He raises a fundamental question about whether pilots can truthfully declare their health under such threats, suggesting it compromises the integrity of the certification process. Discover more Political Campaign Insights Political Analysis Reports Conservative News Subscription Saliba's critique extends to the rapid approval of Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) drugs, including COVID-19 vaccines. Typically, the FAA requires medications to undergo a lengthy approval process. Yet, with these vaccines, the agency acted swiftly, leading Saliba to question the motivations behind such an expedited process. He mentions that figures like Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Senator Ron Johnson have echoed concerns about the FAA's deviation from standard protocols. "The FAA does not have agency authority granted in the law to 'attain herd immunity,'" Saliba argues. He insists that the FAA's role should focus on maintaining safety rather than pursuing public health goals, positing that this overreach could lead to severe consequences for the airline industry and aviation regulations. His contention is that if courts determine the FAA acted beyond its authority regarding EUA drugs, the ensuing judicial ruling could redefine safety standards across the aviation sector. Discover more Daily News Briefing Newspapers The situation escalated when Saliba filed an FAA safety complaint against the airline, citing pressuring tactics on pilots regarding the use of vaccines. Even after the FDA's suspension of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine due to reports of serious side effects, concerns linger about the FAA's management of such critical health issues in the context of aviation. Saliba's past complaints about the FAA's handling of these matters are significant since an investigation he initiated was reportedly shelved by Northrup. He emphasizes the gravity of the ongoing legal proceedings, specifically his current Mandamus lawsuit aimed at compelling the FAA to fulfill its obligations. Saliba believes this could lead to accountability and possibly provide remedies for injured pilots and air traffic controllers. The stakes are high, as the outcomes may resonate far beyond the individual cases, affecting the safety and operational practices of the entire airline industry. In summary, Captain Saliba's claims underscore pressing questions about the intersection of health mandates and aviation safety. His experiences reveal a complex narrative that challenges conventional views surrounding COVID-19 policies and their implications for personal liberties within the aviation industry. As he navigates the legal landscape, the outcomes could potentially redefine safety protocols and operational standards for all pilots and air traffic personnel. Discover more Political Commentary Service US Politics News Election Coverage Updates

Big state, bigger deals: Texas leads as america's home for innovation. Starlink to provide high-speed Wi-Fi on more than 500 of its aircraft by is licensed under The Fort Worth airline and Texas-based satellite pioneer just teamed up - and consumers are the big winners Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas - Texas has always been the home of big ideas and bigger deals. It's where ambition meets low taxes and light regulation, where the world's most consequential companies plant flags and make moves that reshape industries. And lately, the deals coming out of the Lone Star State have been coming fast. Fort Worth-based American Airlines announced it has selected Starlink - the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX - to provide high-speed Wi-Fi on more than 500 of its aircraft, with installations set to begin in the first quarter of 2027. And here's the part Texans should love: this is a partnership between two companies that call Texas home. American Airlines has been headquartered in Fort Worth for decades. And while SpaceX got its start in California, the company has increasingly planted its flag in Texas - relocating its manufacturing, testing, and launching to Starbase, Texas, and running massive operations across the state. Two Texas powerhouses, joining forces to connect the skies. So what does it mean for the flying public? It means faster, better, and free internet at 35,000 feet. Starlink, widely regarded as the world's most advanced satellite constellation, uses thousands of low Earth orbit satellites to deliver internet connection capable of supporting up to 1 Gbps per antenna - enough to stream, game, hold video meetings, and scroll endlessly from gate to gate. And for members of American's AAdvantage loyalty program, the service will be free. This is exactly the kind of thing that happens when great companies set up shop in a state that rewards ambition, rolls back red tape, and lets innovators innovate. While other states chase businesses away with high taxes and heavy-handed regulation, Texas has rolled out the welcome mat - and the results speak for themselves. The American Airlines-Starlink deal is only the latest example. ExxonMobil, the oil and gas giant whose headquarters has been in Spring, Texas, for years, recently completed its corporate migration to the Lone Star State in full, with shareholders voting overwhelmingly to reincorporate in Texas and leave behind its legacy legal domicile in New Jersey. The vote was not close: more than 71 percent of shares voted in favor, a decisive signal that investors see real value in Texas' legal and regulatory environment. What made the Exxon vote particularly telling was who stood behind it. BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street, and other large passive asset managers voted for the move even as the two dominant proxy advisory firms, Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis, recommended against it. ISS and Glass Lewis had opposed every Texas reincorporation that came before them regardless of industry, market cap, or rationale - a streak of categorical resistance that critics have called more political than analytical. The asset managers apparently reached a different conclusion. As University of Texas academic Michael Toth noted in Bloomberg Law, the outcome suggests BlackRock and its peers may have turned the page on progressive-leaning corporate activism and are voting closer to their fiduciary obligations. The proxy firms, meanwhile, may be finding that their reflexive opposition to Texas is costing them credibility with the very institutions that pay for their advice. But here's the bigger picture worth thinking about: this could be just the beginning. When two homegrown Texas innovators like American Airlines and Starlink start working together, the possibilities don't end with in-flight Wi-Fi. And Wall Street is paying attention. The same big-money asset managers who recognized the value of ExxonMobil's Texas commitment - voting their shares against the proxy advisory establishment to back the move - understand that the state's business climate is not a talking point. It is a competitive advantage. Imagine what two ambitious Texas companies might roll out down the road - new technologies, new efficiencies, and new ways to serve customers. For travelers, the most immediate payoff is simple: fast, free Wi-Fi on American flights, beginning next year. But the bigger story is what keeps unfolding across Texas. From the skies above Fort Worth to the boardrooms of the nation's largest corporations, the message is the same. Texas is open for business, and the deals keep getting done. * Share * Post * Pin * Share * Share * Print * Share Starlink to provide high-speed Wi-Fi on more than 500 of its aircraft by is licensed under 06.08.2026 06.05.2026