Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced last week that he and SpaceX founder will clear up public complaints by technology mogul Elon Musk that the government is blocking the company's efforts to help victims of Hurricane Helen. shed light on his phone conversation with Elon Musk.
Mr. Musk, 53, complained to X about allegations that the Federal Aviation Administration was blocking flights to storm-ravaged areas of North Carolina, prompting a response from Mr. Buttigieg, 42, and Mr. Musk. told the millionaire to give him the ring.
“He took me up on it. He called me. We had a conversation. What we found out was actually going on was that the FAA was not closing any airspace. That was a big deal,” Baguig said on MSNBC's “Inside with Jen Psaki.”
“However, there was an issue with the pilots helping to get Starlink equipment to where it needed to be with the correct information. We worked with local authorities and were able to address it.”
After the call, Musk thanked Buttigieg for helping the team smoothly resolve the issues they encountered.
“Thank you for your swift approval of the support flight. I just want to note that Secretary Buttigieg is proactive,” Musk wrote to X.
Musk initially sent messages with a person who appeared to suggest that the government was “looking to close down airspace to 'regulate' Starlink and the commercial helicopters we fly on to deliver supplies.” I posted a screenshot of the exchange.
Musk's SpaceX is actively working to send satellite terminals to its Starlink network system in hopes of connecting hurricane-hit areas to the internet and better coordinating recovery efforts. There is.
Ivanka Trump helped deliver some of these devices last week.
Ahead of Friday's call, Buttigieg initially responded to Musk with an was.
Buttigieg explained Sunday that the FAA has been using temporary flight restrictions in disaster areas as it has for decades.
“Essentially, in areas where disasters occur, there are a lot of rescue operations going on. Local airports, fire departments or coast guard flying helicopters – those people can request what is called a TFR. [Temporary flight restrictions]” he explained.
“It doesn't close the airspace, but it does increase the level of coordination to make sure that the airspace is safe and to prevent the risk of collisions.”
Buttigieg also briefly mentioned the strike launched last week by the International Longshoremen's Association, one of the largest unions for maritime workers.
The ILA went on strike last Tuesday, but by Friday the union confirmed it had reached a preliminary agreement with the American Maritime Alliance, which represents major shipping companies.
The strike threatened to cause major disruptions to shipping and supply chains as parts of Georgia, North Carolina and Florida are still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Helen.
“This was a very serious concern for our nation's transportation system,” Buttigieg said, before praising the “very, very valuable” longshoremen. “These are people working in really tough conditions. They didn't get much of a raise in the last contract. Many of them were on the job during the toughest days of COVID-19.
“They're going to come back to the table and look at other issues, like what to do with technology and automation,” he added.
