It has been a rough several days for aviation in the United States. We’re currently on day 41 of the government shutdown, which is the longest one we’ve ever seen in the country. While there are signs of the shutdown nearing an end, it hasn’t happened yet.
An increasing number of air traffic controllers have been calling in sick, given that some can no longer justify showing up to work without a paycheck. As a result, we’ve seen the FAA force airlines to cancel a certain percentage of flights, and that’s intended to help with operational reliability and staffing shortages.
Anyway, President Trump has just taken to social media, with a rather unusual message directed at air traffic controllers.
In this post:
Trump’s mixed message to air traffic controllers
Trump has taken to his social media network, Truth Social, to share the following message with air traffic controllers:
All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially “docked.” For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the “Democrat Shutdown Hoax,” I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country. For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU. You didn’t step up to help the U.S.A. against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our Country. You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record. If you want to leave service in the near future, please do not hesitate to do so, with NO payment or severance of any kind! You will be quickly replaced by true Patriots, who will do a better job on the Brand New State of the Art Equipment, the best in the World, that we are in the process of ordering. The last “Administration” wasted Billions of Dollars trying to fix antiquated “junk.” They had no idea what they were doing! Again, to our great American Patriots, GOD BLESS YOU – I won’t be able to send your money fast enough! To all others, REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY. GOD BLESS AMERICA! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
I don’t even know what to make of that message!
One thing is for sure — Trump manages to pack a lot of information into his social media posts, and this is no exception.
Okay, so Trump is telling all air traffic controllers to return to work “NOW!!!” And he’s recommending a $10K bonus for the “GREAT PATRIOTS” who didn’t take any time off of work (I’m curious if there’s actually a mechanism by which he’ll try to make this happen, or if this is just talk).
Meanwhile for those who “did nothing but complain, and took time off,” they should return to work immediately, and Trump is “NOT HAPPY WITH YOU,” and you’ll have a “negative mark against your record,” at least in Trump’s mind.
And he’s also encouraging anyone who took time off of work to quit with no payment or severance of any kind, because you can easily be “replaced by true Patriots, who will do a better job on the Brand New State of the Art Equipment, the best in the world, that we are just in the process of ordering.”
Bottom line
President Trump has issued quite the message to air traffic controllers, amid operational issues resulting from the government shutdown. He is recommending a $10K bonus for the “patriot” air traffic controllers who didn’t take any time off, though it’s not clear if there’s any mechanism by which that will happen, or if that’s just talk.
Meanwhile for the air traffic controllers who did take any time off at all, he’s telling them to return to work now, or otherwise to quit, so that they can be replaced by patriots.
What do you make of Trump’s message to air traffic controllers?
Regarding what Trump posted and you saying you don't know what to make of it.
1. All government employees will get back pay when the government re opens. 2. Taking time off or not going to work is putting the burden on co workers. Since this is not the first shutdown, they absolutely understand this.
2. I fail to see what Trump is saying to the controllers is any different than what Reagan...
Regarding what Trump posted and you saying you don't know what to make of it.
1. All government employees will get back pay when the government re opens. 2. Taking time off or not going to work is putting the burden on co workers. Since this is not the first shutdown, they absolutely understand this.
2. I fail to see what Trump is saying to the controllers is any different than what Reagan did. He literally fired everyone and hired non union replacements. that's harsh.
But, when taking into consideration, number 1 of what Trump said is not an outlier, in the least
As a retired Fed some personnel are classified as essential. Therefore you are required to work. I was one of these and worked for four shutdowns. Reporting for work is not an option. Actions will be noted and will have consequences. Trust me and there is no political issues.
Americans are too nice. Everybody not getting paid should’ve just called out at day 30. Everything grinding to a halt would’ve ended it faster and given power back to the people rather than Trump. I feel like the Dems were kneecapped - wait out for ACA credits extended extension which probably (but possibly?) wouldn’t happen or continue having people miss paychecks and no food for an with no end in sight.
@Dan ATC was always going to get paid back. Burning sick days has a cost. You get compensated for unused sick time at retirement. So you wanted them to do something that would cost them personally?
Assuming Dan is not from US (same as me), a concept of "unused sick days" is foreign to us. In most, if not all of Europe, if a person is sick, they go to sick leave. They get paid for that time. If they do not use sick leave they do not get paid for it later
It is pretty common in US federal/state/local govt jobs to cash out unused sick/vacation time for additional pension credit or a payment into your retirement account.
Dan, we're not France (we don't go on strike), we're not Sweden (we don't have a full social safety net), we're not German (we didn't maintain our manufacturing base), but we're still trying our best. We do need greater worker rights and consumer protections like much of the EU has. I've long advocated on here and elsewhere for air passenger rights legislation like EU261 in the USA. Nothing is perfect anywhere, but we can do...
Dan, we're not France (we don't go on strike), we're not Sweden (we don't have a full social safety net), we're not German (we didn't maintain our manufacturing base), but we're still trying our best. We do need greater worker rights and consumer protections like much of the EU has. I've long advocated on here and elsewhere for air passenger rights legislation like EU261 in the USA. Nothing is perfect anywhere, but we can do much better. Hopefully a new generation of leadership realizes this, isn't corrupted by billionaires, and actually fixes some of these problems. All we can do is try.
SO Perplexing. What is so wrong with wanting to pay and reward those peopole who actually come to work during trying times.
This is not partisanship. This is called moitivation. Powerline men after a storm doing extra shifts. Policemen after a riot doing extra hours. These people deserve overtime who sacrifice and put in to be rewarded.
No wonder people are SO OVER the left be it democrat, transgender, progressive, DEI activist scammers, socialist...
SO Perplexing. What is so wrong with wanting to pay and reward those peopole who actually come to work during trying times.
This is not partisanship. This is called moitivation. Powerline men after a storm doing extra shifts. Policemen after a riot doing extra hours. These people deserve overtime who sacrifice and put in to be rewarded.
No wonder people are SO OVER the left be it democrat, transgender, progressive, DEI activist scammers, socialist communists, or whatever the left are calling themselves lately.
Congratulations and our thank you to all of those who went above and beyond during the crisis of man power in our Air Traffic Control System.
MAGA much? The guy literally accuses them of backing the Democrat shut down and you don't see any partisanship. Selective reading, I guess.
Hey KlimaBXsst. Paying workers for extra hours is common sense and standard practice, especially for essential roles like air traffic controllers, emergency responders, and utility crews. During the shutdown, federal employees in critical roles went without pay for weeks yet continued working to keep services running and public safety intact. Recognizing their efforts with back pay and overtime simply acknowledges the sacrifice they made under extremely difficult circumstances.
Blaming "the left be it democrat, transgender,...
Hey KlimaBXsst. Paying workers for extra hours is common sense and standard practice, especially for essential roles like air traffic controllers, emergency responders, and utility crews. During the shutdown, federal employees in critical roles went without pay for weeks yet continued working to keep services running and public safety intact. Recognizing their efforts with back pay and overtime simply acknowledges the sacrifice they made under extremely difficult circumstances.
Blaming "the left be it democrat, transgender, progressive, DEI activist scammers, socialist communists, or whatever the left are calling themselves lately" is off track. We would not be in this situation if it were not for an intransigent GQP that traffics in lies about their political opponents and would rather bail out Argentina than help Americans afford healthcare and feed their families on time.
All Due Respect, thank you, as always, for being a voice of reason on here. I comment on sites like this for the love of the game (travel, cards, points, the news). Whenever I'm unavailable, it's nice to know and see that there are others who will stand up, speak out, call out the mis-and-disinformation that some try to promote here and elsewhere. Thank you.
Bless up brudda!
Welp...looks like this thing is winding down. Senate Democrats blundered by ending the 41-day government shutdown. Polling consistently placed the blame on Donald Trump and his Republican allies, not the Democrats, and Trump’s approval ratings tanked during the standoff. Meanwhile, Democrats had successfully forced attention onto health care, especially the expiring ACA tax credits affecting millions. By giving way, the eight Democrats who defected handed Trump a political victory, squandered leverage over Republicans, and foreclosed...
Welp...looks like this thing is winding down. Senate Democrats blundered by ending the 41-day government shutdown. Polling consistently placed the blame on Donald Trump and his Republican allies, not the Democrats, and Trump’s approval ratings tanked during the standoff. Meanwhile, Democrats had successfully forced attention onto health care, especially the expiring ACA tax credits affecting millions. By giving way, the eight Democrats who defected handed Trump a political victory, squandered leverage over Republicans, and foreclosed the chance for meaningful Senate reform. It was a strategic misstep with consequences that will echo well beyond this week.
There are 47 Dems in the Senate, there was never an end game where ACA subsidies would continue in their current form. While Dems did have a polling advantage, it wasn't as one sided as you were implying, their polling numbers were going down too. There was also the ability of Republicans just to end the fillibuster if aviation ground to a halt. Dems raised the issue and they will running it in a year. The American public will then decide.
It’s true the ACA subsidies wouldn’t automatically continue, and Republicans weren’t going to extend them unless leverage was correctly applied. And that's the key plot point: Democrats had leverage during the shutdown, with polls showing Trump and the GOP taking the blame. By conceding too early, those eight senators gave up leverage that could have secured real legislative outcomes, leaving it as a promise for next year. The issue isn’t automatic continuation - it’s that...
It’s true the ACA subsidies wouldn’t automatically continue, and Republicans weren’t going to extend them unless leverage was correctly applied. And that's the key plot point: Democrats had leverage during the shutdown, with polls showing Trump and the GOP taking the blame. By conceding too early, those eight senators gave up leverage that could have secured real legislative outcomes, leaving it as a promise for next year. The issue isn’t automatic continuation - it’s that Democrats had the upper hand in a high-stakes moment and chose to relinquish it.
We disagree. There was never leverage there. Republicans would just suspend the fillibuster and open govt back up if the pain to real lives of real people got too great. While Republicans were taking a hit in the polls, the Dems were underwater on the issue too. There have been 14 shutdowns, and the minority party has won none of them.
Brian W, and it seems like Republicans were about to go the 'nuclear' option, which would have been a horrible idea for them... I'll give you a few hints... DC, PR statehood; codifying Roe; ending Citizen United; expanding and reforming the Supreme Court, etc., next time Democrats get power. Those 8 Sen-Dem-shills saved Republicans big-time.
Brian W, I get the historical point about shutdowns and the minority party rarely winning, but that misses the nuance here. This wasn’t just any shutdown. Polling consistently showed Trump and Republicans taking the bulk of the blame, and Democrats had the issue of expiring ACA tax credits front and center in the public eye. That is leverage. By folding early, those eight senators didn’t just give up a temporary tactical advantage, they removed the...
Brian W, I get the historical point about shutdowns and the minority party rarely winning, but that misses the nuance here. This wasn’t just any shutdown. Polling consistently showed Trump and Republicans taking the bulk of the blame, and Democrats had the issue of expiring ACA tax credits front and center in the public eye. That is leverage. By folding early, those eight senators didn’t just give up a temporary tactical advantage, they removed the possibility of forcing concrete concessions on health care or changing the rules to prevent future shutdown abuse. Yes, Republicans could have threatened the nuclear option, but the political optics were all on Democrats, and they had the high ground. Relinquishing it was a gift to Trump and the GOP.
Since I'm flying home tomorrow, I've been paying attention to cancellations. Fortunately, I'm checked in for both legs. I couldn't find a lot of cancellations across all the ways I could get home. Flightaware had the answer. DL has cancelled 77 flights (2%), UA 55 (1%), and AA 8 (0%). Of course, Republic, PSA, etc. have more. They are, not a surprise, canceling regional jet flights.
I sincerely hope it goes well for you, This comes to mind. Even if we disagree on here and elsewhere sometimes, I wish no one here any harm.
Well, I will say this, aside from the ridiculousness of the whole situation. Unless you had an acute cash flow issue and were living paycheck-to-paycheck (which I hope ATC controllers are generally not in the position of having to do), they should've been continuing to work and not seeking other employment while the crisis was going on. They should've been among the most confident of federal workers that they were going to get back pay,...
Well, I will say this, aside from the ridiculousness of the whole situation. Unless you had an acute cash flow issue and were living paycheck-to-paycheck (which I hope ATC controllers are generally not in the position of having to do), they should've been continuing to work and not seeking other employment while the crisis was going on. They should've been among the most confident of federal workers that they were going to get back pay, and their job security and privileged roles means they should've been continuing their responsibilities. Calling out sick if not sick and if not having cash issues should not have been done. And anyway, this is a silly and late thing for Mr. Trump to be saying at this stage. The horse already fled the barn.
I could understand ATC not living paycheck to paycheck, but TSA which gets paid a fraction probably do. I was at JFK on Saturday and you could tell there was a shortage of TSA workers. I give those that showed up credit for trying to make the best of a bad situation.
Brian W., I recently returned from overseas, and CBP officers (the ones who check our passports when re-entering) are also not getting paid. I feel for these workers. All of them. They don't deserve any of this.
"manages to pack a lot of information into his social media posts"
You and I have a very different concept of the word "information."
*Trump manages to pack a lot of information into his social media posts, and this is no exception* - Trump packs a lot into his posts but is not "information". Deceptions, lies, BS, etc. are all more accurate descriptions.
I guess Jefferies and Schumer only tell the truth, lol. These are politicans, they spin everything.
If y'all are finally ready to ditch Hakeem and Chuck, I think it's time for Progressive leadership who will actually fight back, not just cave to billionaire donors.
@1990 While progressives are a large portion of the Democratic party, I dont see them as the majority. When the last Democratic presidential candidates have been Haris, Biden, Obama, Kerry, Gore and Clinton, all of them are part of the center-left vs Sanders/AOC/Warren hard left. I dont know if a progressive can win in PA, WI, MI, NC, AZ or GA.
These people who will not work for free and go against Trump and Maga are un patriotic and not Christian. Freedom isnt free so they should work for free. Anyone who doesnt support tax breaks for the 1% and expects them to pay their fair share of taxes is a communist.
Pure whataboutism Brian W. Sure, politicians can be inaccurate or even lie. That said, claiming that Jefferies and Schumer are equivalent to Trump in truthfulness is a false equivalence. It’s the kind of reasoning Putin and other autocrats use to justify deception and authoritarian behavior by pointing to flaws in other governments. While no one is perfect, Jefferies and Schumer have a far more consistent track record of accuracy and accountability than Trump and his...
Pure whataboutism Brian W. Sure, politicians can be inaccurate or even lie. That said, claiming that Jefferies and Schumer are equivalent to Trump in truthfulness is a false equivalence. It’s the kind of reasoning Putin and other autocrats use to justify deception and authoritarian behavior by pointing to flaws in other governments. While no one is perfect, Jefferies and Schumer have a far more consistent track record of accuracy and accountability than Trump and his allies.
All Due Respect, I think Chuck's plan (1-year CR, including extended subsidies) would've saved-face for everyone, but it didn't happen... he got undercut by those 8 shills. (Or, maybe it was his plan the whole time, but, for his part, he did vote 'no' on the bill.)
Now, sine those 20 million Americans are gonna lose healthcare, time to remind them of who took it away from them (Republicans) with their BBB, which didn't renew...
All Due Respect, I think Chuck's plan (1-year CR, including extended subsidies) would've saved-face for everyone, but it didn't happen... he got undercut by those 8 shills. (Or, maybe it was his plan the whole time, but, for his part, he did vote 'no' on the bill.)
Now, sine those 20 million Americans are gonna lose healthcare, time to remind them of who took it away from them (Republicans) with their BBB, which didn't renew it, all so billionaires could get tax cuts. That plus a recession, yikes. Bad news for Trump in the midterms!
Exactly. Jonathan Chait in The Atlantic makes the same point: Democrats actually had the public on their side during the shutdown. Holding firm could have highlighted Republican mismanagement and Trump’s plummeting approval, especially on healthcare. Instead, eight senators folded, handing Republicans a political lifeline and undercutting leverage on ACA subsidies for millions.
MAGAs are experts at WhatAboutism
Y'all heard about this Potemkin FAA “ban” on private jet operations? It targets 12 major airports that barely see private jet traffic. The real flights operate out of relievers: ORD-DPA, DFW-DAL, DEN-APA, BOS-BED, IAH-HOU, ATL-FTY, JFK-KFRG, LAX-KHHR/VNY, EWR-TEB, PHX-GRY, SEA-BFI. If the goal was to ease ATC load, they picked the wrong targets entirely. Reckon they know that too.
Yup. Sure feels like there's a center-right uni-party acting as mercenaries-for-the-billionaires... because, those 8 shills in the Senate sold out +20 million Americans who need healthcare.
Time for Progressives to do to the Democratic party what Trump did to the GOP. The culture war is a distraction; it's always been a class war.
The Dems picked a fight without a plan for an end game. With 47 votes, how did you expect them to pass continuing Covid subsidies which Republicans opposed? They raised the issue which they will run on next year.
Just an FYI, there are plenty of wealthy millionaires and billionares in Hollywood/tech/finance that support Dems. There is reasons Dems didnt raise the federal minimum wage or change the Trump tax rates when they held...
The Dems picked a fight without a plan for an end game. With 47 votes, how did you expect them to pass continuing Covid subsidies which Republicans opposed? They raised the issue which they will run on next year.
Just an FYI, there are plenty of wealthy millionaires and billionares in Hollywood/tech/finance that support Dems. There is reasons Dems didnt raise the federal minimum wage or change the Trump tax rates when they held Congress and the Presidency in 2021-2023.
Brian, that’s… not really how this works. Democrats didn’t “pick a fight” without a plan - they offered a clean continuing resolution plus a one‑year extension of ACA subsidies that 72% of Americans support, which primarily help Republican districts (57% of recipients). Republicans control the White House, House, and Senate. They could have passed it with the nuclear option. They chose not to.
This isn’t about Hollywood or tech billionaires - it’s about 20 million...
Brian, that’s… not really how this works. Democrats didn’t “pick a fight” without a plan - they offered a clean continuing resolution plus a one‑year extension of ACA subsidies that 72% of Americans support, which primarily help Republican districts (57% of recipients). Republicans control the White House, House, and Senate. They could have passed it with the nuclear option. They chose not to.
This isn’t about Hollywood or tech billionaires - it’s about 20 million people facing 114% premium spikes starting November 1 if subsidies aren’t extended. That’s real, immediate harm, not campaign messaging for next year. Blaming Democrats for refusing to walk into an obvious trap is just misleading.
ATC and all essential employees who showed up to work without a paycheck for a month do deserve a bonus for a shutdown that was completely unnecessary.
I agree; and, next time, get all the representatives together, and don't let them leave until they compromise. It's not even about their pay (most of them, both sides, make their money off insider training and lobbyists anyways, which shouldn't be a thing, either); it's about whether they serve their constituents, or are abdicating their responsibilities in Congress.
Oh, and next time is January 2026, because this CR only get us to then.
I agree. Our politics has become so tribal and winner take all, it is difficult to find space to compromise. With the left and right redistricting, it creates safe seats where politicans worry more about being primary challenged, than the general election.
Fair point, Brian W. The extreme gerrymandering and mid-cycle redistricting we’re seeing now was largely triggered by Trump and his allies after the 2020 election. They pushed aggressive redistricting in key states to create safe seats, which makes politicians more worried about primary challenges from their own party than the general election. That is exactly the tribal, winner-take-all dynamic you are describing.
Welcome to Ben’s 1990 page. Poor Tim would have been vilified by now for dominating the comments thus, is that not so Ben?
You're welcome to comment as much or as little as you wish, sir or madam. You do you.
…. and you accuse others of being a troll. Hypocrite or what? …. :-)
Oh, I'm generally in-favor of 'trolling the trolls'... which I think you're attempting, sorta. But, I'm not merely trolling on here; I'm sharing my thoughts and reactions to the post, as well as to others comments, which we all can and should do.
Just sayin', ya gotta be careful 'poking the bear' on this or any site (referring to upsetting the 'host'). I try to stay within the lines and never upset Ben, Gary,...
Oh, I'm generally in-favor of 'trolling the trolls'... which I think you're attempting, sorta. But, I'm not merely trolling on here; I'm sharing my thoughts and reactions to the post, as well as to others comments, which we all can and should do.
Just sayin', ya gotta be careful 'poking the bear' on this or any site (referring to upsetting the 'host'). I try to stay within the lines and never upset Ben, Gary, Matt, William, or anyone like them. They the boss. We're mere guests here.
Anyway, you got any ideas on how to fix air traffic control in the USA, or just more ad hominems for me today? I'm down to clown, either way.
Sigh, in the past I would avoid posts mentioning a certain airline or hotel cos of some people's incessant comments, with 1990 he/she/it is present with every post. I guess I just read the posts and forget about the comments
And that's your choice, ken. Engage or ignore. You do you. Are we 'getting it' now?
1990 has single handedly ruined engagement at several distinguished travel blogs. How Ben, Gary etc don’t see this is beyond comprehension
Obviously he didn't write that, he was sleeping, "SLEEPY ORANGE NAZI" everyone calls him, and it's obvious why.
The fact that the Repubic party is doing all they can to cover up his mental decline into oblivion and the land of the faeries is SAD!
Oh, yeah; that dude is cooked. Where's Jake Tapper's book? "Original Sin 2.0: President Trump's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again."
Sure seems like the goons over at the Heritage Foundation (Project 2025) continue to use Trump as their Trojan Horse (while he grifts for himself) to attempt The Handmaid's Tale on the rest of us. Not gonna let that happen; someone tell Kevin Roberts that the 'left' will not 'allow it to be.'
Exactly 1990. The shutdown made it crystal clear how Trump’s chaos and Republican intransigence hurt ordinary Americans, while the Heritage crowd spins it like some moral crusade. Millions are losing healthcare, and the GOP’s mismanagement gets a free pass because eight Senate Democrats caved.
A few things here. Number one, maybe unlike some government jobs, air traffic controllers perform a vital and very needed function. Spend a bit of your time listening to ATC videos, which yes usually are based upon some "emergency situation" and you realize just how complex and stressful their job is. And there's no taking a minute to send a text to a family member or a couple of minutes to visit the loo. It's...
A few things here. Number one, maybe unlike some government jobs, air traffic controllers perform a vital and very needed function. Spend a bit of your time listening to ATC videos, which yes usually are based upon some "emergency situation" and you realize just how complex and stressful their job is. And there's no taking a minute to send a text to a family member or a couple of minutes to visit the loo. It's a complete focus job.
Number two, if you're not getting paid you deserve to complain. We go to work because we need money, not for some grandiose societal reason. No matter what is going on in DC they should have been paid and they should not be criticized for complaining.
Number three, for those that continued to work without pay they should get a $10K bonus. They took one for the team and now the team should reward their dedication.
Ok, George, let's pay all ATC, not just those deemed 'loyal' to the President, that $10K bonus.
@1990 I said if they worked through the shutdown they get the $10K. Doesn't matter who they support or vote for OR like millions have ZERO interest in politics.
@1990 How is giving a bonus to ATC who showed up to work with out pay being "loyal" to the President? These controllers and other essential employees were loyal to the American public. It gets tiring that anything the President proposes is always a problem for some people.
Brian W, I still think all of them deserve a bonus, regardless of the shutdown; and that we should train and hire more ATC, generally. If we can do currency swaps with Argentina on a whim, we got ample money to go around; we're choosing these manufactured crises. ATC is too important; they've been through enough, especially this year. Pay 'em all. Extra.
Food safely inspectors also serve a "vital and very needed function", but RFK Jr laid them off well before the shutdown was even a glimmer in the Epstein Files.
Just skimming the comments to see if anyone manages to find it an opportunity to hail their favorite airline's fleet planning.
I think Tim may be traveling; he said elsewhere he was on the 'other side of the planet' waiting for a delayed aircraft from Paris to arrive... idk, he'll be back!
He's NOT HAPPY with you. But if you kiss the orange, you might get a $10,000 "bonus" of someone else's money.
How's that feel?
I thought Stormy said it was a 'mushroom'... but point taken.
Yeah, the out-in-the-open blatant corruption of this administration is disgusting. We need real reforms after all this is over, because this is exactly the demagoguery the Founding Fathers were so worried about. No Kings.
I'd like to see ATC call him on it by all quitting on the same day.
I just watched the 30-minute press conference that the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) held... it's riveting what they deal with, day in, day out, even without a shutdown.
"No American should ever be forced to work without a paycheck."
There should at least be bi-partisan support to pay ATC, and military service members, regardless of a shutdown, so this never happens to such a safety-critical profession, mission as theirs.
Not to mention, Nick Daniels said of the pre-existing, severe staffing shortage, 3,800 certified professional controllers short and 91 percent of facilities do not have the proper staffing.
Many controllers are already working six-day workweeks with 10-hour shifts.
Not good.
ATC has been chronically short controllers for decades. It is nice to see they are at least now being creative and pairing up with universities to create another pathway for certification and improve the controller numbers.
If I traveled back in time and recounted what the POTUS has said during this term, absolutely no one would believe me for a second.
You added nothing.
Trump said he wants to pay-off whomever he deems 'loyal' and then 'punish' anyone who he thinks isn't 'loyal-enough' to him personally.
It's crony capitalism. It's the old spoils system. It's a bad path, historically, for all of us.
Your first sentence perfectly states every post you make across all these travel blogs in a desperate grasp at attention.
Naw, Steve. I do call out others, but I also add something, my own thoughts, each time. You added nothing, just like the first commenter, but to say how you don't like me, personally. I'd consider that a 'win' for me, but, there aren't any 'points' in this game. This is real life. There are real consequences for shutdowns, for elections.
The truth is that if I said something you 'liked,' you'd have 'Helpful'd it,...
Naw, Steve. I do call out others, but I also add something, my own thoughts, each time. You added nothing, just like the first commenter, but to say how you don't like me, personally. I'd consider that a 'win' for me, but, there aren't any 'points' in this game. This is real life. There are real consequences for shutdowns, for elections.
The truth is that if I said something you 'liked,' you'd have 'Helpful'd it, or commented to express your approval. But, you don't, so instead of addressing anything on substance, you basically tell your 'perceived enemies' to be quiet. I think that's both lame and cowardly. Engage, bud. Tell us your 'theory of the case.' Enlighten us on how to solve ATC in the USA.
"If I traveled back in time and recounted what the POTUS has said during this term, absolutely no one would believe me for a second."
I agree. In any other timeline this would be fuel for an absurdist comedy. In fact, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and the makers of Veep said Trump's surreal behavior made it hard for them to write an absurd government focused farce because the nuttiest storylines they could conceive of seemed tame compared...
"If I traveled back in time and recounted what the POTUS has said during this term, absolutely no one would believe me for a second."
I agree. In any other timeline this would be fuel for an absurdist comedy. In fact, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and the makers of Veep said Trump's surreal behavior made it hard for them to write an absurd government focused farce because the nuttiest storylines they could conceive of seemed tame compared to what Trump was up to. And that was the more reserved Trump.
"(I’m curious if there’s actually a mechanism by which he’ll try to make this happen, or if this is just talk)."
I don't mean to be rude here, but if you're still dumb enough to think that he might follow through on a commitment to pay anybody, you deserve a visit from the wallet inspector.
In 2016, USA Today reported on at least 60 lawsuits and more than 200 mechanics' liens since the 1980s from contractors and workers who claimed they were not paid in full.
If only we would have taken them seriously then, a lot of horrors could've been avoided.
This blog is so anti Trump , literally if President Trump found a cure for cancer the blogger would still find fault in this.
@ Dave Stafford -- Please tell me what opinions I expressed in this post, other than to directly share what POTUS said?
Dave, you seem to have 'TDS'... Trump Devotion Syndrome.
Instead of whining and using hyperbole, why don't you actually contribute something. Like, do you have an idea for how to run air traffic control in the United States? Oh, no, you don't... ok, anyways.
And yet you are still here, consuming the content and now contributing a single penny to its upkeep. Sounds pretty, oh I don't know, Communist to me. Dave, are you actually the new mayor-elect of New York City?
Chris, while I appreciate the sarcasm directed at Dave, let's be clear: the NYC Mayor-elect, is not a communist; he's a 'democratic socialist.'
He's advocated for reforms, not revolution; he supports representative government, not dictatorship; he's promoting a mixed economy with private property, not state control or the abolition of private property. The fear-mongers tried to suggest the latter to scare people.
In reality, Zohran won on with a progressive platform focused on making the...
Chris, while I appreciate the sarcasm directed at Dave, let's be clear: the NYC Mayor-elect, is not a communist; he's a 'democratic socialist.'
He's advocated for reforms, not revolution; he supports representative government, not dictatorship; he's promoting a mixed economy with private property, not state control or the abolition of private property. The fear-mongers tried to suggest the latter to scare people.
In reality, Zohran won on with a progressive platform focused on making the city more affordable, through free bus service, frozen rents, universal childcare and a higher minimum wage, among other ideas. None of that is communism. At all.
Whether any of it is even possible, or whether it works out better for NYC residents or not is still an open question. We'll see. As someone who lives in NYC, I wish him well.
Republicans believe that anyone who believes in helping others, universal healthcare is communism.
Republicans and most Democrats arent on board with a single payer healthcare system. While many complain, most are OK with their employer sponsored plans outside of Sanders/Warren/AOC.
You're trying to explain something that's logical to someone who just wants to throw flames. The right spews "communist" anytime they can't argue with democratic socialism -- which is what most successful, developed western democracies operate under. Then again, many in their base are too dense to understand the difference.
Agreed, Lance. They'll say far worse than 'communist,' too. On other sites, like View from the (right) Wing, folks go full white-supremacist on there sometimes (watch out for @Not Scott, 'hard-r'). Or, they pull from Rwanda, and start referring to others as insects. Vile stuff. I call it out whenever I see it. Dehumanizing talk is 'not cool' in my book.
Apparently Dave mocked Asians in the Techo Airport thread.
Mike O., how sad. Three people literally died from Asiana 214.
As if he would. He’s a tyrant who doesn’t agree with opposition. Only in the US are employees expected to work gratis.
Hopefully this continues and brings his downfall.
Well said, Icarus. We need real reforms for worker rights and consumer protections. Once this 2nd Gilded Age is finally over, we need a new Progressive era to fix all the 'wrongs' and 'excesses' of this time. I'm pretty disappointed the 8 caved on this current fight for healthcare, but it's merely a reprieve until January, then it'll all start up again. ATC really should not be threatened, though; they should get paid, regardless of...
Well said, Icarus. We need real reforms for worker rights and consumer protections. Once this 2nd Gilded Age is finally over, we need a new Progressive era to fix all the 'wrongs' and 'excesses' of this time. I'm pretty disappointed the 8 caved on this current fight for healthcare, but it's merely a reprieve until January, then it'll all start up again. ATC really should not be threatened, though; they should get paid, regardless of a shutdown. It's just too darn important. Live are on the line. Future shutdowns should not affect ATC, the military, etc.
Ben, his use of social media makes no sense at all. Never did. Once the adults are back in-charge, we really need to prevent ATC, TSA, CPB, etc., from becoming pawns in these partisan fights.
Capt Buck Lucky said over at Cranky Flier recently: “Politics came for aviation, not the other way around.” Well said.
@1990 Politics and aviation have always been intertwined. This industry got a massive bailout with the Cares Act during Covid. It receives essential air service grants. There are slot controlled airports and routes. It is highly regulated, unionized, and taxed.
Agreed, Brian W. And, it is indeed an essential service, an economic strength, and something that shouldn't be threatened like it has been over the past month, or the prior times.
If anything good comes out of this shutdown, I hope it is new, comprehensive bi-partisan legislation to never again threaten ATC because of a shutdown. Like, this should really be the last time. But, I highly doubt that'll happen, anytime soon. And we're...
Agreed, Brian W. And, it is indeed an essential service, an economic strength, and something that shouldn't be threatened like it has been over the past month, or the prior times.
If anything good comes out of this shutdown, I hope it is new, comprehensive bi-partisan legislation to never again threaten ATC because of a shutdown. Like, this should really be the last time. But, I highly doubt that'll happen, anytime soon. And we're probably gonna deal with this all over again in January 2026, once the CR ends. It's not fair to those controllers.
Couldn't agree more, 1990.
That is one area as someone on the right, I can agree with you on.