The recent FAA job cuts included at least two workers on Long Island and two in Queens, according to the union who represents them. The federal cuts come amid recent frightening incidents, including the mid-air collision in the D.C. area that left dozens of people dead and some flyers on edge.

“The logic of it seems to be illogical, I guess, to some extent, where you’ve got maybe some increasing safety concerns and maybe reductions in the people that need to address that," says Dr. Michael Canders, associate professor of Aviation at Farmingdale State College. "We had these two airline accidents within relatively close proximity to each other.”

Canders says the public does not need to be afraid to fly. He said it’s still the safest way to travel.

He added, though, that recent events need to be examined in a methodical way, and it’s important to make sure the safety margin across the industry isn’t reduced.