052710_BillMcGeetrue1334586686108acckfpmcgee, airline, aviation, airplanes, consumer, creative writing, EnglishHofstra Creative Writing Professor and "Consumer Reports" Reporter William McGee Named to National "Future of Aviation Advisory Committee" to Examine the U.S. Airline Industry/Hofstra_Main_Site/Home/News/PressReleases/Archive/052710_BillMcGeeprpgse1274986431015prpgse1274986498859Press Release Sub TitlePress Release TitleHofstra Creative Writing Professor and "Consumer Reports" Reporter William McGee Named to National "Future of Aviation Advisory Committee" to Examine the U.S. Airline IndustryPress Release Date2010/05/27Hofstra CategoriesCOMMUNITYFACULTYHCLASGinny GreenbergUniversity RelationsHofstra Hall(516) 463-6819prpgse@hofstra.edu//Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … William McGee, adjunct associate professor of English, has been selected to serve on the United States Department of Transportation’s Future of Aviation Advisory Committee, to examine the state of the U.S. airline industry. McGee is an award-winning investigative journalist on airline safety and travel issues for Consumer Reports magazine and also has a travel column on USAToday.com.

The aim of the Future of Aviation Advisory Committee is to provide information, advice and recommendations to Transportation Secretary Raymond LaHood on ensuring the competitiveness  of the U.S. aviation industry and its capability to address the evolving transportation needs, challenges and opportunities of the U.S. and global economy. McGee is the only representative on the committee representing the rights of consumers. The committee convened for the first time on May 25, 2010, in Washington, DC.

Additionally, on May 27, 2010, McGee testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on behalf of Consumers Union (publisher of Consumer Reports) opposing the proposed merger between United Airlines and Continental Airlines on grounds that it will be harmful to consumers.

In 2008 McGee became the inaugural recipient of the Michael A. Dornheim Aviation Journalism Award from the National Press Club. That year McGee also was named a finalist for a Deadline Club Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for his investigative article, “An Accident Waiting to Happen?” about airline safety for Consumer Reports. He was recognized by the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition from the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation with a bronze award in the Travel News/Investigative Reporting category for his article “Air Security: Why You’re Not as Safe as You Think,” which also appeared in Consumer Reports. He also received a silver award in the same competition for his article “The Ultimate Guide to Travel Web Sites,” in Condé Nast Traveler.

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