Dan Gryder Steps Up As A Controversial Candidate
Dan Gryder, a YouTuber and retired airline pilot, has opened a petition to become the next Administrator of the FAA. While the agency may be looking somewhat desperate for a leader, a controversial pick like Gryder is not likely to be the solution.
The petition, which currently has just over 1,600 signatures, is Gryder’s ‘official request’ to be considered for the vacant FAA Administrator position. The lengthy proposal details his numerous ambitions for the agency’s future.
“If appointed, I would make numerous immediate changes to our Air Traffic Control policies: No more personal electronic devices allowed on Federal ATC properties. (control towers and radar rooms),” Gryder wrote. “No more mandatory retirement age, Hiring based purely on merit, No more DEI hiring, No more disruptive ATC facility tours.”
Gryder’s post claims that he is a retired major airline captain with ATP, FAA Gold Seal Instructor, CFII, AGI, and other certifications as well as several type ratings. The 63-year-old has accumulated more than 16,500 flight hours throughout his career and now runs a YouTube channel that he uses to post aircraft accident analyses.
The candidate has no political experience, though that is not an immediate denial of his eligibility. A lengthy career in the airlines does give useful insight as to how the industry operates and what it needs to remain effective.
While this may be true for most retired captains, Dan may be an exception. His list of controversies is just as long - or longer than his list of aviation commitments.
In November 2009, Gryder was arrested and suspended from Delta Airlines after allegedly trying to run over police officers with his private aircraft. Griffin Police were responding to a complaint of someone driving a car on the runway. They approached Gryder, who gave a false name and refused to sign citations.
He reportedly proceeded to board his DC-3, start it, and threaten to hit a police car. Gryder stopped after realizing he didn’t have enough fuel for a flight and was denied a refill. He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one of obstruction.
More recently, in August 2023, Gryder was ordered to pay $1 million to a pilot that he publicly harassed and slandered. The case began in 2021 when Gryder accused Cook of committing illegal activities at his Texas airfield. Gryder has since appealed the judgment with some alleged progress.