Pete Buttigieg actually said...

a national issue that is affecting the whole domestic aviation industry but disproportionately affecting smaller regional airlines.

Like you, I share the view that it is one of the under appreciated gems of our transportation system.

The smaller the community or the less resources it has, the more daunting that process can be.

It means that as a driver is on their route, they see that they are getting close to the limit of their hours of service.