The response to the tragic American Airlines crash in January 2025 shows a tale of two communicators, a master class of what to do and not do. Everyone on board died. One spokesperson focused on the family and their pain; the other pointed fingers, spoke incoherently and stepped over authorities investigating.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom’s response: “Were absolutely heartbroken for the families and loved one of the passengers and crew members and also for those that were on the military aircraft,” he said, clearly emotional. “This is devastating, we are all hurting incredibly. Our focus right now is doing everything we can to support all those involved and the PSA Airlines team.”
“At this time, we don’t know why the military aircraft came into the path of the PSA aircraft,” Isom said.
Compare that to the response by New Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Thursday (mere hours after the deadly collision), who said it was “absolutely” preventable, insisting there was “not a breakdown” in communication between the helicopter’s pilots and the American Airlines flight ahead of the deadliest US airplane crash in decades.
“It was, I would say, standard communication, so there was not a breakdown, if that’s your question, in communication between the military helicopter and the American airline flight. There was communication between the aircraft and the tower,” said Duffy.
“I would say that the helicopter was aware that the plane was in the area,” Duffy said. “This was a clear night last night; the helicopter was in the standard pattern. If you live in the DC area, you will see helicopters up and down the river.”
An added bonus: President Trump’s response: “This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
And he also blasted the Democratic administrations of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, along with previous diversity, equity and inclusivity (DEI) initiatives within the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation.
Compass Communications LLC 
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