Two pilots near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were recorded meowing and barking at each other over the radio. An air traffic controller told the pilots to 'be professional', with the controller adding that this is why they still fly a regional jet. CBS News posted a clip of the recording on X on Wednesday, and the clip received more than 4 million views.
The post sparked a debate about how serious the pilots' actions were, with many questioning whether such behavior compromises aviation safety standards. The identities or affiliations of the pilots involved, the exact date and time of the radio exchange, and what disciplinary actions or regulatory responses occurred remain unknown. This incident occurs against a backdrop of recent tragedy at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which was the site of the deadliest plane crash in the US in nearly 25 years.
You guys need to be professional.
A mid-air collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet in January 2025 left 67 people dead. A year-long investigation by the NTSB determined that systemic flaws and 'individual errors' contributed to the tragedy. Among the errors was a lack of warnings issued by air traffic control and helicopter pilots having visual separation approval.
The accident led to significant reforms to protocols and airspace at the DC airport and other airports, aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future. The accident arguably casts the recent exchange of animal sounds between pilots in a more serious light, highlighting ongoing concerns about professionalism and safety in aviation, especially given the airport's history.
This is why you still fly an RJ (regional jet).