Pete Buttigieg’s term as Secretary of Transportation has been notably impactful. During his time in office, the Department of Transportation (DOT) introduced many new consumer protections and has taken a stronger stance on oversight and penalties within the industries it regulates.

While preparing for life outside the government, Buttigieg spoke with YSL News in New York City about his experiences at the DOT, expressing his hopes for how the next administration will approach travel issues. He also shared that he is getting ready to be a regular traveler again, having just submitted his application for Global Entry. He emphasized the significance of funding fish culverts, particularly in areas where fishing is a key industry and recreational pastime.

This transcript has been condensed for brevity and clarity.

Question: During your time as DOT secretary, you’ve introduced numerous consumer protections. Which ones are you most proud of?

Buttigieg: I’m particularly proud of the new law mandating automatic refunds. This rule is significant not just because it ensures passengers get their money back, but it also shifts the airlines’ approach to scheduling flights, encouraging them to be more realistic about their operations.

Additionally, the dashboard initiative has shown how vital access to good information is for transparency, leading to tangible changes. After we alerted airlines about the dashboard, they quickly revised their policies, which are now enforceable through our agency.

Q: What should travelers be aware of regarding the consumer protections your department put into place and their potential changes under a new administration? Are you concerned they might be removed?

Buttigieg: Naturally, I’m always concerned about the potential for changes in good policies. However, it’s important to highlight that the refund rule is now a law, incorporated into the FAA reauthorization. This means that undoing it would require congressional action and has been supported across party lines.

Furthermore, the consumer protections we’ve implemented enjoy considerable bipartisan support amongst travelers, so any attempt to weaken them would likely face significant backlash.

Q: Staffing issues at the FAA have been a significant challenge during your time. What changes have occurred?

Buttigieg: In short, FAA staffing was declining, but under the Biden administration, we stabilized it, and now numbers are actually rising. While there hasn’t been an overnight fix, we shifted the situation from deteriorating to improving.

I acknowledge that challenges in some air traffic control sectors are real issues I’ve been very concerned about, which is why we’ve made structural changes.

We address any legitimate criticisms or issues within our control, but these problems cannot be used as a reason for airlines to evade responsibility for their actions.

Q: The Biden administration saw the merger between JetBlue and Spirit fail, while Alaska and Hawaiian’s merger was approved. What do you foresee for future airline mergers?

Buttigieg: Regulatory bodies have responsibilities, and I thought it was essential for the DOT to step in with the JetBlue-Spirit case. The airline industry has continuously consolidated, which is detrimental to competition—this applies not only to airlines but also to railroads, ocean shipping, and even agriculture.

Therefore, we intervened, supported by extensive market and legal analysis. We approach these issues pragmatically, which is why we had different outcomes for the Alaska-Hawaiian merger, coupled with a commitment to robust passenger protections.

When deregulation occurred, forecasts projected around 100 airlines would be competing in the U.S., but that hasn’t happened. The fewer airlines we have, the more oversight is needed to ensure they act responsibly.

Q: What’s the status of the investigation into airline mileage programs regarding consumer protections?

B: The deadline has passed, and submissions are in. Our team is now assessing whether these submissions meet the requirements.

Ultimately, airlines owe the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the general public a clearer view regarding these programs, which have frequently turned out to be more lucrative for them than their actual airline services.

These funds contribute to travel savings for many passengers. It’s how Chasten and I plan to enjoy a vacation once my current responsibilities conclude.

If you have money saved in the bank, it’s safe because the FDIC insures it. Conversely, if you have airline miles, a company can change the rules surrounding those miles at any time.

The crucial question is whether they have been making such changes. Many of us have observed that booking a ticket now requires more miles and seems to be more challenging than it was a decade or two ago, but we can’t base policy decisions solely on personal experiences, which is why we are requesting concrete data.

Q: What happens to this work once the Trump administration takes office?

B: This is where the public should hold the incoming administration accountable by asking, “What are your plans regarding this?”

I wouldn’t assume or expect a new administration to manage these processes, decisions, or data in the same manner I would, but the work is in progress. This data is being collected, and the public wants answers on how it will be addressed.

Q: What do you believe will be your biggest legacy?

B: There are three key areas:

• Firstly, the infrastructure initiative. We have surpassed 1,500 airports needing improvements, and we are part of one of the largest public works efforts in modern U.S. history with the Hudson tunnels, which lacked funding at the start of the Biden administration. Additionally, small-scale projects such as intersection improvements are saving lives.
• Secondly, and less publicized, is our effort to reduce the increasing number of roadway fatalities. We have seen nine consecutive quarters of decline in these figures. While we justifiably react strongly to aviation incidents, we often overlook that car accidents take a daily toll equivalent to a full airplane’s worth of lives. There’s still much work to do, but we are making progress in this area.
• Finally, we have leveraged our regulatory powers and commitment to transparency to improve conditions for airline passengers, railroad employees, and many others reliant on this department for their protection.

Q: What’s next for you and Chasten?

B: I enjoy this job immensely, but it demands constant attention. I’m looking forward to taking a breather and spending more quality time with our children.

I haven’t made any significant life decisions yet, and I plan to hold off until I’ve had some time to reflect.

Q: What destinations are on your travel bucket list?

B: There are so many! Domestically, I have a particular fondness for New Mexico.

I’m intrigued by both Alaska and Hawaii, as I haven’t visited those places much.

I’m open to exploring various locations worldwide.

Q: You’ll likely relish traveling without a large entourage.

B: Absolutely. Though, I will need to readjust to that.

I’ll have to reacquaint myself with TSA checkpoints. Recently, I just completed my Global Entry interview.

Q: You would think that would be a lifetime perk after serving as DOT Secretary.

My credit card might cover the fee, which is great, but I still have to complete the online application, get my photo taken, and provide my fingerprints, which seems fair enough.

Q: As a regular traveler, what policies or changes that you didn’t have a chance to implement would you like to see to enhance your travel experiences?

B: I’m eager to see progress on the family seating initiative we’ve initiated. We’re still actively working on it.

As a parent of young children, this issue is particularly important to me, both on a personal and policy level.

As a private citizen, the transparency and fairness of miles and points programs will matter greatly to me.

Ultimately, while these issues are engaging to tackle, the primary concern is ensuring that each time I board a plane, I am confident that I am experiencing the safest mode of travel possible.

Everything else pales in comparison to safety.

Q: As you wrap up your tenure, what’s something you feel hasn’t received enough attention in discussions?

B: More coverage should be focused on fish culverts.

Q: Regarding what specifically?

B: Fish culverts.

Q: Oh, those fish culverts.

B: Yes, fish culverts. We are working on these structures, which are crucial, especially for migratory fish species.

(Editor’s note: Fish culverts are tunnels that enable fish to navigate around barriers like roads or railways.)

Whether you’re in Michigan enjoying trout fishing or in the Pacific Northwest or Alaska where fish are vital to culture and livelihood, this program is significant.

While it may not be as glamorous as billion-dollar projects, we have numerous initiatives like this one.

I understand why they may not attract as much media attention as larger undertakings, but I believe these matters are crucial and form the core of our operations.

On a more serious note: regarding the broader resilience strategy, in a world where extreme weather events occur more frequently, we can’t simply rebuild roads in the same spots after they are damaged. Instead, we need to relocate them. We have invested billions in this effort, and it will become an even larger part of our future discussions. I feel this topic warrants more focus than it currently receives.