US Senators Want the 737‑Max Grounded – It’s Not Just About Fuselings
In a move that’s making headlines across the globe, some members of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee are frowning at the Boeing 737‑Max series after two deadly crashes. They’re demanding that the FAA ground the jets — at least for a while — until the safety mystery is solved.
The Big Names Behind the Call
- Mitt Romney – “We should ground the 737‑Max until we find out why folks keep dying.” He cackles a tweet about FAA’s “abundance of caution.”
- Elizabeth Warren – “No one should trust a plane until it’s proven safe.” She’s a presidential hopeful, plus a part of a long‑standing fight over aviation safety.
- Other Democrats like Richard Blumenthal and Dianne Feinstein are echoing the plea. Meanwhile, senators in the Senate Commerce Committee, Roger Wicker and Ted Cruz, pledged to hold a hearing.
Why the FAA Isn’t Bailing Out
Late Tuesday, the FAA declared: “There’s no systemic issue that would justify a mandatory grounding.” They say they’ll impose a software upgrade and more training by April, but they’re not currently ordering a stop‑flight.
Global Gaggle of Groundings
- The EU’s AESA, Britain, China, Australia, Germany, France, Singapore – all have put the 737‑Max on a bumpy vacation.
- Singapore Airlines’ regional arm, SilkAir, was hit, as it owns six 737‑Max 8s.
Trump’s Take on Techy Turbulence
President Trump, after “the Ethiopian crash,” posted a tweet that basically says pilots are outdated and computers should take the wheel. He’s worried about “complexity creating danger.” Afterwards, he called Boeing’s CEO to soothe the nerves — apparently, the boss assured him the plane is safe.
What’s on the Horizon
- Senate hearings on March 19, chaired by Wicker and Cruz.
- The FAA is keeping the 737‑Max “on its toes” and will step up if safety cracks show up.
- White House is in constant contact with regulators, waiting to decide if a global grounding is needed.
In short: the 737‑Max is facing a global pause, lawmakers are demanding an investigation, and the U.S. is yet to lock the safety brooch on the cockpit. Stay tuned — aviation’s next big drama might just be a flight‑control hack.
