EPA’s Pruitt: Economy flights in future

WASHINGTON — Scott Pruitt, administrator of of the Environmental Protection Agency, said his travel planning will include flying coach after increasing scrutiny of claims that he needs to fly first class because of security concerns.

Pruitt, in an interview with CBS News on Wednesday, said he has instructed his staff to make changes that could include flying coach.

That’s a significant shift since last month, when Pruitt said in interviews that his chief of staff and security team had determined he should fly in premium class seats after some unpleasant interactions with other passengers.

Asked what had changed in Pruitt’s security assessment, EPA spokesman Jahan Wilcox declined to provide any additional context or comment.

Since taking office last year, Pruitt has been unusually secretive about his frequent air travel. In a break from his predecessors, Pruitt’s office consistently refuses to provide advance public notice of his trips, typically releasing a schedule of his meetings and appearances only after they have occurred.

Pruitt is the first EPA administrator to require aroundthe-clock protection from an armed security detail. The EPA has refused requests for details about “incidents” on flights that prompted Pruitt’s need for first-class seats.