Sean “Dog” Duffy is a well-known figure in the lumberjack community, celebrated for his remarkable achievements as a three-time world champion in the 90-foot lumberjack speed climb. Beyond his lumberjack accolades, Duffy gained fame as a reality TV star in the late 1990s with shows like *The Real World: Boston* and *Road Rules: All Stars*. Now, he is stepping into a new role as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, aimed at navigating the complexities of American transport infrastructure.

The state of transport infrastructure in the U.S. is critical; over a third of the country’s bridges require significant repairs or replacement. Railways have been historically underfunded, leaving the U.S. lagging behind other industrialized countries in developing high-speed train systems. Additionally, an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers has intensified, particularly following a recent government shutdown that prompted some to retire early due to dissatisfaction with the dysfunctional system.

Recently, Duffy held a press conference with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Here, they discussed innovative plans to revolutionize air travel. While the details of air traffic controller recruitment were not the focus, Duffy proposed using grant money—amounting to $1 billion—to create wellness spaces in airports. He envisioned areas where travelers could engage in physical activity, stating, “Maybe I want a workout area where people might get some blood flow doing some pull-ups or step-ups in the airport.”

Influencer Paul Saladino was brought in to support this initiative. “What if we could create small spaces for Americans in airports to get mini workouts?” Saladino suggested, introducing ideas like treadmills or exercise bikes near airport gates. However, the practicality of such suggestions may leave many questioning the added comfort of cramped flights alongside fatigued travelers.

The discussion also addressed the need for improved breastfeeding accommodations in airports, a worthy point that became overshadowed by the event’s more controversial themes. The inclusion of conservative podcaster Isabel Brown to promote an agenda about valuing motherhood added a layer of complexity to the discourse.

Duffy’s recent campaigns, such as the “Golden Age of Travel Starts With You,” aim to restore civility and courtesy in air travel. The campaign encourages a nationwide discussion on improving interaction among passengers. However, critics argue that it’s essential to first establish civility among government officials, citing recent public comments from the White House communications team and President Trump as examples of the need for improved decorum.

On a related note, Duffy has also proposed setting a dress code for airline passengers, encouraging travelers to “dress a little better” for their flights. This has sparked backlash online, with social media users donning pajamas to protest the new directive. Some critics, including right-wing commentator Tim Dillon, highlighted the disconnect between the government’s priorities and the economic realities faced by many Americans.