Our aviation system is under serious stress at the moment. The record-long government shutdown is causing an increase in the number of sick calls among air traffic controllers, and our system has very little slack in the first place.
Continue reading: Flight Delays & Cancellations Are Getting Really Bad: Good Luck Out There!
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
@Ben, in this case, are airlines expected to offer compensation if one is involuntarily bumped to a flight days later?
Thank you RWNJs in the Republic party for yet another stupid, useless, petty fiasco, because you still don’t realize that you are supposed to represent the American people, not rule over the American people.
Republicans own this. They can end the shutdown today, but chose not to just so they can give billionaires tax cuts, and take away food and healthcare from Americans. Remember this when you vote. Midterms are 358 days away.
And Trump himself says ‘when there’s a shutdown it means the President is weak!’
Nope. This is why we need an EU-261 equivalent. We need actual air passenger rights legislation. Not perfect but it would help.
But, somehow the Administration "found" $20 billion to lend to Argentina. What happened to America First? What happened to "no foreign aid"?
Don’t worry; we’re gonna vote them all outta office, and hold all the grifters accountable. ‘Hope is alive.’
For what it's worth, it does seem the very early morning flights at 5 or 6 am seem to have been on time from a few sample major airports I checked
I like the shutdown we should keep it like this. As a Libertarian it’s great, we just need the government to sell of airports and privatize and then it is back to normal and even better then before.
Why are some of you blaming the republican party?
Ultimately, the blame squarely lies with the idiots who voted to elect this administration. The adage remains ever true: We elect the leaders we deserve.
Perhaps this will result in airlines operating more efficiently. My last business trip for the year in October from DCA-LAX on AA, its A319 went tech and then cancelled. I was rerouted and the second leg of my reroute had a 2.5 hours delay. I reached my destination 7 hours after originally planned. None of this had anything to do with ATC.
Nope. This break it, ‘privatize’ it, ultimately, steal it, is a Republican trojan horse.
I’ve been blaming Republicans; all of them; voters; the party; elected officials. Because it’s their fault. Period.
Exactly. The GOP is doing exactly what they said they would in 2024. They promised blood and retribution. Who knew is would come from the taxpayers? Oh....everyone knew? Everyone warned the voters? And they did it anyway? Because the voters are, in fact, idiots? Yes. Yes they are.
This a long overdue break . There is a tendency to add more flights to an overworked system . The purpose was growth for private airlines , while taxpayers footed the infrastructure bills . Even if only 50% of flights are cancelled , it will be merely a good start . There were far fewer flights during covid , and everything was OK .
Very sorry it happened to you , yet perhaps next time better to leave from Dulles , and perhaps on UA , no ?
Controllers don't need a wink or a nudge to not show up for work. They ain't getting paid!!!
EU261 would not cover this.
It is not directly the result of anything done or not done by them.
Delays due to ATC are not eligible for EU261 compensation but they are eligible for duty of care from the airlines which means they have to pay for food, beverages and hotel accommodation when flights are delayed, even if due to ATC.
Keep in mind there is strong winter weather working its way across the country so that alone is creating problems
@Alert,
Regrettably I can't fly UA. For business travel, I must fly the preferred airline designated by the company. It's AA.
@1990 @Arnold.
There was an estimated 15 million eligible democratic voters who voted during the Biden/Chump cycle who did not vote this time. There were some independents who voted for Chump.
The blame is not all republicans fault. There is enough of it to go around.
Yes dave, and at the same time NO HEALTHCARE FOR CITIZENS EITHER!!!
AND SOON THERE WILL BE NO MEDICAID OR MEDICARE.
BUT BY ALL MEANS CONTINUE TO HOLD THE GROUND!!!
For real Alonzo! If I couldn’t pay my employees I may ask them to come in if they are able, but no wink wink nod nod is needed!
I agree, but most don't. Pride also doesn't pay bills if you have no emergency savings. Which again, most don't.
Where's the punch line Tim?
We're expecting you to say something like Delta planes are more profitable with the cold temperatures.
Or 767 is the most consistent premium plane across the Atlantic during shutdown.
Yes Justin and at the same time doctors can't travel to save sick people or people dies from mid air collision.
AND SOON THE WILL BE NO HEALTH TO CARE FOR EITHER!!!
BUT BY ALL MEANS CONTINUE TO HOLD THE GROUND!!!
P.S. You really believe politicians from either sides actually care about your healthcare?
To make this worse, the ORANGE LORD and his minions have been saying that the federal workers who are working without pay might not get back pay. MAGA indeed.
Try harder, Tim. Btw, TATL is going great. 570mph at 36,000. Haulin’ donkies up here.
Maybe tell your buddies at DAL to tell the Republicans to finally earn Democrats votes for a bi-partisan budget and reopen today.
No. Privatization is not the answer. This isn’t some climate change issue either. Don’t buy into Alert’s distractions.
justindev, well, unless those cowards are blind and dumb, they’ll have to re-learn these lessons the hard way, and Tuesday was a good sign, not just in blue states and cities, but also in GA, MS, and elsewhere. It’ll take time and effort, but we’re going to overcome Trump and the Republican’s who enabled him, soon enough. Don’t get distracted or self-divide on culture-war nonsense either (that’s all they got anymore.)
Then, let’s pass an even better version that would. Note how I said ‘air passenger rights legislation’ and I meant it. Passengers should not be footing the bill for the airlines or the FAA playing politics either.
Then pass something better than EU261. And stop voting for a-holes that screw over the American people. Republicans have never been in-favor of consumer or worker protections; they just want tax cuts for billionaires and de-regulation. Wake up.
Except life on earth is not lived at 35k feet. And those tailwinds are a clue the atmosphere below might not be stable
Northern tier airports including YYZ are seeing delays today
Yes system is overworked.
More prone to human errors than ever.
Automation is like 30 years overdue.
Time to get rid of all of human error once and for all.
They can still find good routes and altitudes to mitigate. I’m headed west, today, and it’s been just fine. Ironically, eastbound a few days ago was more of an ordeal; something to do with French airspace issues. At least their governments are all still open…
Real issue is in Pacific; that typhoon about to hit Philippines is scary stuff.
Eskimo, if you were asking me, I think healthcare is a human right, so all Americans, and I’d go so far to say, all humans, globally, but that’s not just a USA-issue. Canada’s doing a better job providing essential care to all its people. No system is perfect, but we have a lot of work to do to serve our people better. I doubt you even meant your comment in good faith, but for the others, I at least want to address the issue.
Alonzo, in the past, you have taken positions supporting the administration, so I don’t even know what you’re really trying to say here.
The reality is that Trumo and Republicans failed these ATC controllers; they weaponized government and are holding their livelihoods hostage; they’re harming all Americans, too.
Alert, every time you try to bring this up, I’m gonna warn people, because it really is a trojan horse. You can keep dishing out your thinly-veiled propaganda, but it’s not gonna work. The American people are not better served by giving away more key infrastructure to billionaires. It’s a bad idea.
Blame your own party - you were the ones who created the "Affordable" Health Care plan and it's been anything but affordable.
Fix the problem you created, instead of just taking your ball and going home.
Period.
Eskimo, horrible idea. ATC, pilots, mechanics, etc. all can be aided by better equipment and technology, but eliminating humans from the equation is a horrible idea.
Wow, a company that forces AA on you… do you work for… American Airlines? Psh.
That’s not a thing that happens. Undocumented immigrants are barred from ACA plans and get no subsidies. Period.
I am on the complete opposite side if the world and the plane I was on came through Paris w a 4 hour delay. ATC delays are hardly exclusive to screwed up governments
+4 hour delay from Paris to the other side of the world?! Sounds like valid EU261 claims eligible! (Haha)
The plane went through Europe. My flight didn’t touch Europe and wasn’t on a European airline. That is how ‘global’ delays are
I blame the democrats and Mandani, if they actually care about our safety in the air, they would've cared enough to win the last election instead of making us Americans so unhappy and disappointed.
I don't mind having delays if it means it shows the world how pathetic the Biden administration was from the start to bring us to this state.
Not “Good Morning Vietnam”.
Not even “Good Morning America”.
More like the: …. “1990 and Eskimo Show”.
Perhaps to be more accurate the “Ben and Ford Show” …. I know who you really are folks, yep!
Well said, JR. The disinformation is not working like it used to. People are finally waking up, realizing that Trump just uses lies like that to grift for himself and the billionaires. We do not want the USA to become like Putin’s Russia. Gotta call it out and fight back. Every. Time.
JPlat, Trump has been president since January 2025. Biden left office 10 months ago. This is Trump's shutdown, Trump's FAA, Trump's Transportation Secretary making these decisions.
Duffy is refusing to share the safety data justifying the cuts with airlines, Congress, or the public. Airline executives say it's politically motivated. If you're cheering for flight delays to hurt Americans as political payback, you're proving exactly why Republicans are losing the shutdown blame game 52-42 in polls.
Also, Mamdani is the NYC mayor. He doesn't control federal aviation policy.
Dave, Democrats aren't demanding healthcare for people in the country illegally - that's already prohibited by law and isn't part of this negotiation.
They're demanding extension of ACA subsidies for 24 million Americans who are legally purchasing health insurance. Fifty-seven percent of those recipients live in Republican congressional districts.
Republicans are threatening to close airspace and let premiums spike 114% for their own constituents rather than negotiate. That's not about immigration. That's about manufacturing a crisis.
Max, history shows exactly what happens when essential infrastructure gets privatized without regulation.
During the Gilded Age, private railroads with monopoly control charged whatever they wanted, bribed officials for favorable treatment, and created the political corruption that made it "a government by the corporations, of the corporations, and for the corporations." Company towns - entirely private operations - trapped workers in debt peonage by controlling housing, stores, and wages simultaneously.
Right now, you're watching private power being weaponized for political goals. Duffy won't share the safety data justifying flight cuts. Airline executives say it's political. This isn't "small government" - it's corporate executives using government positions to manufacture crises.
Privatizing airports would just hand monopoly control of essential infrastructure to whoever can afford to buy it. Then they'd have captive customers with no alternatives and no democratic accountability. That's not freedom - it's replacing one form of control with a worse one that you can't vote out.
Exactly right. Republicans control the White House, House, and Senate. They can pass their CR with the nuclear option or negotiate with Democrats. They choose neither.
Schumer offered Friday to reopen the government with a CR plus a one-year ACA extension. Republicans called it a "nonstarter." Thune promised a vote but "couldn't guarantee an outcome." Johnson said "I am not promising anybody anything."
They're manufacturing maximum pain - SNAP ran out, flights are being cut, 20 million people face 114% premium increases - to force Democrats to abandon healthcare protections that 72% of Americans support and that primarily benefit Republican districts.
Tuesday's election results showed what happens when they govern like this. 358 days until they answer for it again.
@JR
Exactly. But it is pointless telling magats this, as they continue to make a concerted effort to be willfully ignorant.
That’s wild, because AA had really harmed its business portal travelers in the past few years, so I guess they’re trying to get folks back. Huh.
Well said, All Due Respect. Sometimes folks like JPlat gish-gallop their 10 lies in attempt to distract, deflect, or disinform. Thank you for setting the record straight.
Do try to explain “Censor”, “Lame”, “Farage” and “Putin’s puppet”?
Gobbledygook unravelling is not on my itinerary presently.
But 1990 …. that is exactly what you do …. “Attempt to distract, deflect or disinform” …. “Thank you for setting the record straight”.
Confused how people think this is the republicans fault alone. It’s both parties failing to come together and compile a bill that addresses where there is common agreement (for example, paying government employees, including the military and controllers). The other issues can be debated, but we shouldn’t let the present stalemate affect the government employees that you and I rely on.
AA must be trying. I heard we were going to switch to either UA or DL last year, but that didn't happen.
We get group 4 boarding. I wonder what it would have been on UA or DL.
“Defaming and calls to censor others are a sign of your weakness” …. Explain or apologise Ben.
Proving once again that it is you who “Merely disagree(s) with reality, so, once again”, you attempt to prevaricate, yes Ben?
"They're demanding extension of ACA subsidies" Nope, they are demanding an extension of temporary, Covid subsidies that they voted to end at the end of this year when they enacted them.
Let be of assistance. iMadman is the mayor-elect of NYC. The government would be up and running if Dems agree to a clean CR without the extension of temporary, Covid subsidies to ACA. Who designed the end to those, let me say it again, temporary subsidies? The Dems.
Courtney, when you have one side saying our way or the highway (Republicans) and you have the other side trying to ensure working Americans can afford healthcare and are willing to talk specifics and negotiate, that's how you can blame the Republicans. Democrats are willing to move a little, Republicans are not willing to move at all. At least so far. Though I've heard rumors that may change.
Wrong on multiple counts.
Mamdani (not "iMadman") is NYC mayor-elect and has zero control over federal aviation policy or the shutdown.
Initially the enhanced ACA subsidies were temporary COVID relief, but after four years with 24 million people depending on them (57% living in Republican districts) and 72% bipartisan support, letting them expire during open enrollment to cause 114% premium spikes isn't a "clean CR" - it's manufactured crisis.
Democrats offered to reopen the government Friday with a CR plus one-year extension. Republicans called it a "nonstarter." Thune promised a vote but "couldn't guarantee an outcome." Johnson said "I am not promising anybody anything."
Republicans control everything and can pass their CR with the nuclear option. They choose not to. Blaming Democrats when your party has all the power is admitting you can't govern.
Wrong, This comes to mind. Initially the enhanced ACA subsidies were temporary COVID relief enacted in 2021, but after four years with 24 million people depending on them (57% living in Republican districts) and 72% bipartisan support, they've become essential infrastructure.
Democrats offered Friday to reopen the government with a CR plus one-year extension. Republicans called it a "nonstarter." Thune promised a vote but "couldn't guarantee an outcome." Johnson said "I am not promising anybody anything."
Open enrollment started November 1st. Without extension, premiums spike 114% immediately. If Democrats reopen the government first and wait for a promised vote "later," 20 million people will have already dropped coverage due to sticker shock. By the time any vote happens, the damage is done.
Republicans control everything and can pass their CR with the nuclear option. They choose not to. Blaming Democrats for refusing to walk into an obvious trap isn't an argument.
Timbits flying a non-DieTeam airline? Never. My bet's on Korean or one of those KLM Indonesia flights.
/sarcasm
I would like to thank the Republican Party. They know better than anyone that the best way to reduce welfare spending is to just deny health care and let the more needy people die early. I applaud the long-term game plan.
Because the Republicans are taking away health care from millions of Americans.
How about finding a way to tweak your blog response thing here, Ben?
One original comment and one response per person.
Do you think more than perhaps a half dozen or so of your regular readers want to read the political drivel that is being spewed here now on an almost daily basis? There are better forums than OMAAT to go nuts over politics. Let’s all try and grow up a little bit.
"On Friday, Democrats made a proposal to reopen the government with a “clean” continuing resolution, plus a one-year extension of expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies."
This is a false statement. It is not considered a clean continuing resolution if it includes an extension of the expiring Affordable Care Act. A clean continuing resolution would be an extension of previous funding levels for the government with nothing additional attached...something Republicans have voted on 13 times and Democrats have rejected 13 times. Please update your story to accurately represent what is going on in our government instead of falsely suggesting Republicans are to blame when the Democrats are the ones holding America hostage.
The TDS on this site is horrid. The anger and hate of the left is over the top. The Dems are the ones NOT voting to end the shutdown. The GOP has voted to do so over and over. The left till want to fund insect research in Haiti, transgender dance lesions in Zambia.. and on and on. They do not want these nonsense items taken out of the bill. I guess the left get kickbacks from all of the funding of these crazy items all over the world!
You can respond as much or as little as you’d like. Why do you think you can censor others? Seems like you’re a fan of cancel culture. So much for freedom of speech… it is Ben’s site; if he wants to limit any of us, he can, but he doesn’t seem to micromanage us. Engage or ignore. Don’t be a weenie.
Sounds like EuroTra(sh) can’t think of a well-reasoned comment, so she’s reverted to calling others silly names. C’mon man, you knew this.
The shutdown and its impact on travel makes this an inherently political discussion, so any calls to limit speech are just silly.
You can support or disagree with others on here, or just ignore the comments. You do you.
I'm not happy with the prospect of paying an extra$7,000 next year for crappy Healthcare given that I spent my 30 year career paying for everybody else's benefits. Keep the govt shutdown for all I care until they give me my ACA credits back.
The last election proved you wrong and so will the next one. The public already blames the gop for everything screwy going on right now so keep up the good work. Wait until everyone on ACA (including millions of republican voters) see their 2026 bill.
This “Dee” poster, as I have noted for years across the travel blogs, is truly one of the most low IQ individuals who posts. Tracks though as she/he is a big Agent Orange fan.
@1990 has it right. "Stop voting for A-Holes that screw over the American people."
It’s not censorship, my good man. It’s common sense. Your crude response and other non-ending ridiculous comments more than prove my point.
Dee, Republicans control the White House, House, and Senate. They can pass their CR with the nuclear option without Democratic votes. They choose not to.
Schumer offered Friday to reopen the government with a CR plus one-year ACA extension. Republicans called it a "nonstarter." Thune promised a vote but "couldn't guarantee an outcome." Johnson said "I am not promising anybody anything."
There are no "insect research in Haiti" or "transgender dance lessons in Zambia" in this debate. Democrats are demanding extension of ACA subsidies that 72% of Americans support and that primarily benefit Republican districts (57% of recipients). Without extension, 20 million people face 114% premium increases starting November 1st.
Republicans trail 52-42 in shutdown blame polls. Tuesday's elections went overwhelmingly to Democrats. When you control everything but can't govern, making up nonsense about Haiti and Zambia instead of addressing the actual issue just proves you've got nothing.
Finally, it’s a strange and ineffective defensive maneuver for Trump and his followers to act deranged and then accuse the opposition of having a “Trump derangement syndrome”. Bit like pooping in the holy water, and then accusing the priest of being the problem when he gets upset.
@1990 doesn't realize Republicans only have 53 of the required 60 votes. If all 53 Republicans are voting to end the shutdown, and at least 7 of 47 Democrats aren't, Democrats are in control of ending the shutdown. Vote with Republicans to end it. It's that simple
You really are stirring up the natives Ben, good for your click count no doubt …. 🙂
The political banter posted herein is all very interesting and designed to give unfettered anonymity to Ben and Ford. Their political views are being played out through their respective login names …. 1990 and Eskimo …. yes?
You might well be best advised to tone down your anti-Trump government rhetoric Ben. They may not allow you back into the U.S. after what you have been posting about them …. “Your Trump Anti-Devotion Syndrome” could well come back to haunt you 1990 …. yes?
Ben, is undoubtedly a good aviation blogger, however, as 1990, his political views are being aired relentlessly herein.
Ben, alias 1990, you have ‘outed’ yourself in this article comments section. Well done old bean …. Now, please Ben, get back to aviation blogging and forget about being a political pundit, yes?
Looks like a few Democrats (who are not up for re-election) may have caved last night, CR until January 2026; so, Thanksgiving and Christmas travel could be ‘saved,’ workers finally get paid, but no resolution on healthcare, so those other Americans are still screwed; and probably another shutdown in early 2026, lest Republicans go ‘nuclear’ then.
Government shutdowns impact travel. It’s an appropriate post on any travel blog.
That said, it’s Ben’s site, not mine, and I assume he’d let you pitch whatever nonsense you want on here; but, no, I’m not Ben.
Nice attempt at meta commentary, but, no, once again, I’m just another commenter like you.
Unfortunately, a few Democrats may have caved, so this will repeat again in January. I’m not a fan. I think they should have kept fighting for your and other Americans healthcare.
I was well aware of the maths, mate.
And a few cowardly Dems may have caved, overnight, giving Reps 60.
Don’t worry, SYD-LAX was still operating without issue.
You voted for this. You voted for increasing trade deficits, you voted for a non functioning government, you voted for inflation.
Thanks GLCTraveler. Apparently, even the Democrats have some class-traitors among them (those that caved). 2026 should be interesting. As Trump took over the Republican party, perhaps, maybe, Democrats will finally ditch their corporate overlords and actually run candidates that serve the people… (I’ll believe it when I see it.)
At least some Democrats tried, for a while, to fight for Americans healthcare. When all those higher premiums start hitting real people, a lot of whom live in ‘red’ states, ironically, hopefully some voters actually remember at least one side (Democrats) tried to help them. They’ll probably forget, so we’ll have to remind them. Again and again. Lotta work ahead.
Be more specific with your criticisms.
Use of the phrase ‘trade deficits’ makes you sound like a Trump supporter. My dude, his tariffs are an import tax on all of us Americans.
Americans voted for affordability; and, Republicans certainly haven’t delivered that at all. Healthcare premiums and groceries are soaring, still. They have no plan. Democrats were at least trying to add subsidies to help. That debate apparently will start again in 2026. We’ll see.
AeroB13a, your incessant elevation of me to ‘owner of this site’ sure could inflate my self-esteem, but, alas, ole lass, I’m just a regular commenter, like you. Ben could remove all our stuff at any moment, too. Maybe don’t ‘poke the bear’…
AUSFlyer, and I was hoping Republicans would earn those 7 votes, ideally with compromise on healthcare, but, unfortunately for that noble cause, it seems a few corporate Democrats are gonna cave, and this’ll all restart again in January. On the bright side, workers get paid, finally.
You seek to silence others that you merely disagree with; for all intents and purposes, that’s censorship, cancel culture, whatever you wanna call it. I think it’s cowardice. Engage or ignore. You do you.
Ben, please do not attempt to insult my intelligence by accusing me of posting a “Meta commentary”.
I am perfectly capable of reading your articles and posts, regardless of which login names you choose to use.
Nice try, which failed miserably to censor my posts, yes?
Nice try at prevarication Ben, you are exceptional today …. 🙂
1990, really? You are fooling nobody Ben. You really gave your game away some posts below.
Is that a barbed comment in a crude attempt to censor my posts Ben?
Guess so “Ole lass” …. 🙂
Wait, now it makes sense... is that you, Tim... this whole time?! MAGA Tim Dunn?? Shoulda known better...
Tim, we get it, you don't wanna get political, but c'mon, use of multiple aliases is kinda sad, even for you...
Tim, enough, we get it, you love Delta, but this British persona is a bit much...
Wait, @Penile, is that you?? Taiwan is a free, independent, sovereign country. Test.
Alright, is it Tim, or @Penile, behind AeroB13a.
“Gentlemen you had my curiosity but now you have my attention.” -- Calvin Candie.
Thank you, once again, All Due Respect, for setting the record straight.
It's a shame there are 8 Democrats who just stabbed the rest of us in the back.
Time to vote actual Progressives in primaries for 2026; no more corporate shills.
Yup, GLCTraveler, gonna need to vote in actual Progressives, no more corporate shills or controlled opposition, the uniparty that only serves the billionaires needs to be thrown-out.
Ben, you know only too well that I am not Tim Dunn. Quite a pathetic attempt to divert attention away from the fact that the real Ben Schlappig is posting as 1990. You have been caught out Ben, keeping up the pretence is unbecoming old bean, yes?
It matters not how much you try to wriggle out of the landing net Ben, you are gaffed old son. You have been caught out posting as if you are a guest and now you do not know how to stop.
Accuse me of being anyone else you wish, however, the fact remains that I am no more Tim Dunn, than he is Donald Trump.
The conformation of your duplicity Ben, was in an online post conversation between you and Mr Tim Dunn.
Thank you for the entertainment Ben, now, can you concentrate upon you aviation reviews please, I am really looking forward to reading them soon.
@ AeroB13a -- Dude, knock it off. I don't have to tolerate completely baseless conspiracy theories in the comments section, so consider this your one warning.
One could consider that your alias usage Ben, is well ….. unwarranted, just like your accusations.
AeroB13a is Prince Andrew! WHAT?! Oh, sorry, you're no longer a 'prince' anymore. Why is that? Huh.
Ben, he's claiming that you are me, or that I am you, when, clearly, we are not. It's just a troll.
Thank you, as always, All Due Respect, for speaking so clearly on here, correcting mis-and-dis-information of others, whether they're trolling, or seriously that un-hinged. Thank. You.
Thank you Ben, for finally finding the good grace to address me in person. You have in the past chosen to ignore far too many of my perfectly reasonable, on topic, aviation questions. One wonders why?
As for my “One warning”, you will surprise many readers if you choose to censor one who has criticised those who choose to post rude, crude and revolting comments. Many are guilty of using profanities unbecoming and yet you remain silent Ben.
Your “One warning” will be seen by many as being rather hypocritical and hardly inline with your professed liberal ideology.
In the event that you would prefer to discuss the matter further, then I would welcome the opportunity, you have my email address, yes?
No it doesn't, but I still showed up for every shift during the dozen or so shutdowns in my 30 year career
I am flying EWR-AMS on the 14th and returning the 17th. Know there will be delays but am counting on long haul int'l flights still going...
AeroB13a, sincerely, and with genuine compassion... get help. Your fixation on Ben is not healthy.