Topic: Air Turbulence

Severe turbulence on a Delta Air Lines flight from Milan to Atlanta resulted in 11 hospitalizations, leading to a discussion on new aviation descent profiles. The hosts argue that "climate change regulated" descents force planes to glide through turbulent areas to save fuel rather than navigating around them. Media reports are critiqued for attributing a 55% increase in North Atlantic clear air turbulence to global warming.

An air traffic controller provides "boots on the ground" insight, explaining that the FAA has tightened aircraft spacing from five miles to three and a half miles. This change causes modern planes to encounter more "wake turbulence" from preceding engines, which the media then incorrectly attributes to climate change. The hosts also mock German climate activists who glued their hands to an airport runway.

Allegiant Air Flight 227 from Asheville to St. Petersburg experienced severe turbulence, resulting in multiple head injuries and a broken ankle for passengers and crew. The aircraft dropped 4,000 feet in less than a minute, leading to an NTSB and FAA investigation. Claims are made that airlines may be avoiding altitude changes to save fuel, potentially increasing exposure to known turbulence zones.

A news report about a United Airlines passenger with a bladder condition who was allegedly forced to "pee in a cup" due to turbulence is scrutinized. The analysis suggests the passenger may have requested the cup herself after being told it was unsafe to stand, highlighting how such incidents are framed by the media to fit a negative narrative about airlines.

Mainstream media outlets including CBS and CNN report on a study suggesting that climate change is causing more frequent and severe flight turbulence. The hosts dismiss these claims as predictive "bull crap" based on computer models rather than actual measurements, noting that pilots have not reported a significant increase in severe incidents.