Washington: President Joe Biden made a light-hearted comment about not sitting by the doors of Boeing planes, adding a moment of humor to a high-profile fundraiser event at Radio City Music Hall, as reported by the New York Post.
During the event, President Biden, aged 81, joked, “I don’t sit by the door,” before quickly adding, “I’m only kidding. I shouldn’t joke about that.” This playful remark came in response to a question from CBS “Late Show” host Steven Colbert regarding Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s involvement in ensuring the safety of the presidential plane before Biden’s trip to New York City.
Boeing, the manufacturer of the presidential planes, has faced recent scrutiny due to a series of in-flight incidents. These incidents included a door blowout on a Boeing 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines on January 5th, leading to the grounding of all 737 Max 9s by the Federal Aviation Administration. Investigations revealed missing bolts from the rear door of the Alaska Airlines jet, raising concerns about Boeing’s safety protocols.
Additionally, a Boeing aircraft had to make an emergency landing in Japan due to a crack in the cockpit window, and a Delta Airlines-operated Boeing 757 lost its front tire while preparing to depart Atlanta International Airport for Bogota, Colombia. These incidents raised alarms about the reliability of Boeing’s aircraft.
Further adding to concerns, a UK passenger noticed pieces of tape on the exterior of a Boeing 787 during a flight to India, raising questions about maintenance standards. Moreover, a United Airlines Boeing 777-300 experienced a midair fuel leak, leading to an emergency landing on March 11th.
In response to these challenges, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced his decision to step down at the end of the year, reflecting the company’s turbulent period.
While Biden’s remark brought a moment of levity to the fundraiser, it also highlighted broader concerns about aviation safety and Boeing’s ongoing challenges, according to the New York Post.
