Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) has raised alarms about the presence of furries — a community associated with anthropomorphic animal costumes and interests — among airline professionals, claiming that an unnamed furry group employs numerous pilots, flight attendants, and air traffic controllers.
During a Wednesday Senate floor speech, Tuberville described the situation as “ALARMING,” stating: “There is an ALARMING number of these DERANGED people working in our airline industry.” He added, “Lord, help us. It’s terrifying when you think about this. When you walk onto a commercial flight, it’s possible that the pilot flying your plane could have a deranged fetish of dressing up like an animal.”
The Air Line Furries Association (ALFA) confirms on its website that members work in aviation roles including pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, and air traffic controllers. Mallory Jaspers, communications director for Tuberville’s gubernatorial campaign, stated ALFA is “an online hub for people who work in the airline industry and are furries.”
ALFA has minimal online activity, with its website last updated in 2022 and no recent posts on social media. A senior software engineer and convention organizer noted that aviation professionals participate in the community but maintain professional responsibilities.
A viral incident at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport involved pilots making animal sounds during a flight operation, prompting an FAA investigation. The incident was not linked to furries by authorities.
Tuberville’s remarks have drawn criticism from some, with one advocate stating: “Treating the furry fandom itself as a safety issue unfairly casts suspicion on qualified professionals without evidence.”
Reports also indicate that there have been four additional incidents involving furries and violence following the murder of Charlie Kirk, allegedly by Tyler Robinson.
