Born in Harrington, Washington, Timm served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II.
One of Timm's policies was that airlines should make a 12% return on investment[4] and his CAB would not permit fare reductions that could imperil that standard.
[7] In 1975, Senator Ted Kennedy, with the assistance of future Supreme Court justice Stephen Breyer, held hearings on the conduct of the CAB.
[7] President Ford declined to reappoint Timm as chair of the CAB for 1975,[8] and in late 1975 requested his resignation as a board member.
The Kennedy hearings and Robson's appointment are generally held to mark the beginning of the process of airline deregulation in the United States.