Nathan Fielder, the brains behind HBO’s hit show “The Rehearsal,” recently took aim at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during a segment on CNN. The comedian, who also happens to be a pilot, appeared on the network to discuss the series, which focused on commercial airline safety.
Fielder’s main thesis for the second season of “The Rehearsal” was that co-pilots often struggle to communicate honestly with the captain in the cockpit. This lack of open communication can lead to co-pilots feeling hesitant to question their superiors if they suspect something is amiss. To prove his point, Fielder conducted a series of social simulations and even went as far as obtaining his pilot’s license and flying a 737 filled with 150 passengers for the season finale.
In response to Fielder’s ideas, the FAA issued a statement through CNN, stating that all airline crew members are required to complete Crew Resource Management training. They also mentioned that they have not observed data supporting Fielder’s claim that communication issues are a significant factor in aviation accidents.
Fielder, however, was quick to dismiss the FAA’s response, calling them “dumb” and criticizing the training he received as a pilot. According to Fielder, the training he underwent simply consisted of a PowerPoint presentation instructing co-pilots to speak up if the captain makes a mistake, without providing any emotional impact or reinforcement.
To see Fielder’s reaction to the FAA’s statement, check out the clip below posted on Twitter by journalist Ben Koo.
Overall, Fielder’s bold approach to highlighting the importance of communication in airline safety has sparked a lively debate within the aviation industry. Whether or not his methods are effective remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – Nathan Fielder isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo.
