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Air traffic controllers say pilots and flight attendants are sending them free food. The shutdown has them working with no pay.

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Airline pilots and flight attendants are sending food to air traffic controllers amid the shutdown. Two working controllers told Business Insider that financial strains are causing stress and fatigue. One said some controllers are looking at gig work, like driving for Uber, to make ends meet. They're keeping the skies safe without a paycheck — and now, airline pilots are sending lunch as a thank you. Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, told Business… (www.businessinsider.com) More...

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dustinkempf
Dustin Kempf 46
The politicians absolutely should have no pay during a shutdown! You can bet if that was the case they would get together an come to an agreement.
thepwa
David Hammack 16
You could have stopped at The politicians absolutely should have not pay.
bingamwb
When our country was founded, they didn't get paid.
phanleypri
Patrick Hanley 5
Would have to include their staff who make the major decisions for many if not most of them.
GreggB57
Gregg Bender 2
Lock them in and slide pizzas under the door until they pass legislation.
KoolerKT
KoolerKT -9
The democrats won’t come together.
Nooge
Nooge 5
MAGAt

Making Argentina Great Again t
bobandjean08735
Jean Johnson -3
They have come together by not signing the bill to preserve health insurance for over 11,000,000 American citizens. If they signed now, those people would not be able to afford health insurance. Do you think Republicans would include that in the budget if the Democrats signed? Not a chance.
chris6610
Christopher SW 7
Reminds me of prior days at a B747 operation in Miami, Florida - had been re-hired in December when all Cargo operations did overtime pre-Christmas; my first "partial paycheck" was USD 600 which the wife needed to pay some bills, I was at work over Christmas Eve/Christmas Day and the 26th (Germans consider the 26th the "second Christmas Day") and some of the Senior Captains "in the Know" scrounged together "a couple a bucks" so that I could have a Christmas Dinner. That little token of appreciation really meant a lot!
tjsweeny
Tom Sweeny 6
Well at least congress is getting paid - after all that hard work
mattchip
Matt Collins 13
In 1980, controllers at ORD had a "withdrawal of enthusiasm" that rippled across the system. By the book and no shortcuts. Maybe it's time.
GreggB57
Gregg Bender 1
I was working at ORD then. It was... not fun.
almacdonald18
Alan Macdonald 18
Yes they may get back pay after the congress clowns who I bet aren't going without, get the ball rolling again. BUT and it's a big but getting back pay later doesn't pay the bills and feed the family now. This seems to happen every year surely there has to be another way in a so called civilised country.
Of course the buck has to stop somewhere and as always its at the top, heads should roll, even if only one.
TimDyck
Tim Dyck 10
Here in Canada we have provisions for deadlocks that allow federal workers to get pay even if Parliament cannot agree on the budget. It’s one of the few things we get right.
Nooge
Nooge 1
Here in the US the Trump has a provision that would affect you

In Case you missed it

December 2024: After threatening tariffs, he suggested U.S. control over both Canada and Greenland, as well as the Panama Canal.


January 2025: During a press briefing, Trump suggested that Canada was taking advantage of the United States on trade. He said, "I don't want to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on supporting a country unless that country is a state". He added that becoming a state would lead to lower taxes and greater security for Canadians.
susanandrews04
Susan Andrews 4
Absolutely agree with not paying politicians during government shutdown. Might just light a fire to resolve this instead of collecting pay while the families of those who hold the lives of so many others go without. So wrong
Nooge
Nooge 3
According to an analysis of financial disclosures from 2023 and 2024, the majority of members of the U.S. Congress are millionaires. A study published in June 2024 by SnoQap indicated that the average wealth of representatives grew considerably between 2004 and 2014, making them significantly wealthier than the typical American.

Jefferson Shreve (R-Ind.): House member with an estimated net worth of $598 million.
Rick Scott (R-Fla.): Senator with an estimated net worth of $554 million.
Darrell Issa (R-Calif.): House member with an estimated net worth of $283 million

And they are getting a tax cut
cparks
cparks 3
Our flight department sponsored a free BBQ lunch at our home TRACON this past week. Those guys rock.
DaveIsaacs
David Isaacs 5
That is a great idea.
JamesWhitaker
James Whitaker 8
If I was in US ATC employment, I would very quickly find the financial stress so sever that I would be off sick in the week after a missed pay check. IF enough people felt like me, the US air industry would simply close down.
saso792
saso792 0
I see you all down voted my simple statement that they would all get back pay when this is all settled. I made a true statement and nothing else.
Are you all just a bunch of jackwagons that go out of your way to find something YOU think means more than it did or what? I guess I assumed this was an adult site and not a bunch of juveniles in their mom's basement. As a responsible adult, you should know this kind of thing happens with the job and if you don't have a nest egg collected for such times, maybe you would need to get into a different line of work.
Now you have another post you can jump on and down vote. The "hate and intolerance" is real for so many people.
Nooge
Nooge 3
I see said the blind man
Scumhook
Scumhook 3
as he picked up the hammer and saw
Nooge
Nooge 3
That's not very.... Funny OK I'll show myself out

LOL thank you
joelwiley
joel wiley -3
Historically, federal employees received back pay once the shutdown concluded. But historically, the Executive Branch followed the law. How certain is it that the Executive Branch will follow the law on back pay this time?
vipollack63
vipollack63 -2
Democrats are the Enemy at the Gate
tjsweeny
Tom Sweeny -1
Hmmm, maybe but they are not the ones literally tearing down the people’s house or lighting civil norms on fire
vipollack63
vipollack63 0
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/white-house-renovations-timeline
Nooge
Nooge 2
This one right below your link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3IC8pBrLo4
JohnArena
John Arena 0
Jean, Jean, Jean, it's not the US citizens, but the illegals that being dropped. Illegal aliens can currently get health care (and the American tax payer pays for it) via obtain health care through emergency medical services, community health centers, and, in some states, specific publicly funded programs. The Dems want to subsidize health care for illegals so they can get their vote.
N3055C
Joseph Crecente -3
So you agree that the Democrats are using extortion.
Nooge
Nooge 1
Stop showing you are a partisan


https://www.youtube.com/shorts/t-ch3dl0H50
Sidbekxbsxjx
Esteban Elias 1
Sjxbeixbeixbe8xvejx
Dhd d8
saso792
saso792 -8
The air traffic controllers will all get back pay for the time they worked when this is all settled.
onetell99
Philip Taylor 16
And what will they do in the meantime for gas money and food?
captrags80
Michael Ragsdale -3
They will use the money they have saved in their 6 month "Emergency Fund". And please don't tell me they don't make enough to have one.
whip5209
whip5209 3
Correct.
tankerdude
Brian White -6
There would t be a shutdown at all if there weren’t so many looking for handouts. The Democrats caused the shutdown, because they WANT people so dependent on the federal government that they have no choice but to vote Democrat. Once the people are hooked on the freebies, it’s extremely difficult for those folks to give ‘em up.

IMO, ATCs (and others)should be getting paid even in a shutdown.

After all, if the politicians are essential enough to continue to get paid, aren’t those that manage our skies at least that essential?
Nooge
Nooge 2
The Democrats caused the shutdown?

Who is POSOTUS now and who was the last time the govt was shut down ?


I actually think the president would be blamed.' Trump's 2011 shutdown comments resurface

USA TODAY

Old news clips are circulating on social media showing President Donald Trump saying the fault of a government shutdown should lie with the president.

A video posted by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, in collaboration with other Senate Democrats, compiled clips of Trump in 2011 and 2013 talking about shutdowns, saying the president should be the leader in negotiations or else take the blame. Snippets and quotes from these interviews have been widely shared on social media.

Now Trump, presiding over his fourth government shutdown as president, is blaming the Democrats for not budging on their demands for Medicaid and Obamacare funding to continue insurance coverage for millions of Americans.
vipollack63
vipollack63 -1
WHY WOULD YOU BE FOR ILLEGAL MIGRANTS GETTING FREE HEALTHCARE COMPLIMENTS THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER? Your kind of st***d is sickening.
casey0999
Scott Sample 9
By Law, illegal immigrants do Not get free healthcare. This mis-information originated from Fox News and easy to fact check. Please, do your homework
JohnArena
John Arena 2
Illegal aliens can currently get health care (and the American tax payer pays for it) via obtain health care through emergency medical services, community health centers, and, in some states, specific publicly funded programs. The Dems want to subsidize health care for illegals so they can get their vote.
TimDyck
Tim Dyck 0
Sorry but as a non American can you answer a simple question…
Why are illegals allowed to vote?
joelwiley
joel wiley 2
Sorry, noncitizens are not allowed to vote regardless of immigration status. The hystronic drumbeat about illegals voting is deliberate disinformation. Check the sources of those stories. Disclaimer: I Work as a poll officer, verifying voters and passing out ballots.
Nooge
Nooge -2
You cant help being a Dyck

You should research more and step on your Dyck by posting misinformation

undocumented immigrants are not allowed to vote in federal elections in the United States. It is a crime for any non-citizen to vote in a federal election, which includes presidential and congressional races. Federal law imposes penalties of fines, imprisonment, and deportation for non-citizens who vote.
While some local municipalities, including in California, Maryland, and Vermont, and the District of Columbia, have allowed non-citizens to vote in certain local-only elections (such as for school boards or city councils), these laws do not extend to state or federal contests.
TimDyck
Tim Dyck 1
I asked a question and you respond with insults.
Nooge
Nooge -2
You asked an inaccurate rhetorical question

So ... You continue to demonstrate your lack of reading comprehension

I repeat from above

undocumented immigrants are not allowed to vote in federal elections in the United States. It is a crime for any non-citizen to vote in a federal election, which includes presidential and congressional races. Federal law imposes penalties of fines, imprisonment, and deportation for non-citizens who vote.
Nooge
Nooge -1
John did you vote for Reagan

I did

But I dont vote R anymore and if you were not a low information Maga you would not step on your Dyck and show your ignorance that a Republican made your grip a reality


The "emergency medical treatment act" signed by Ronald Reagan is the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), which he signed into law in 1986 as part of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). The law was a response to "patient dumping," where hospitals refused treatment or transferred unstable emergency patients because of their inability to pay. EMTALA requires that Medicare-participating hospitals provide a medical screening exam to anyone who comes to the emergency department and stabilize any emergency medical conditions before transferring or discharging them.
JohnArena
John Arena -1
Put down your bong nooge and go back to your basement - you are obviously a radical 60's cognitively impaired spinster (and i am being nice).
Nooge
Nooge 1
you are obviously an overopinionated but underinformed cognitively impaired MAGAT posting nonsense (and i am being nice).

If you voted for Regan you own you lament

Illegal aliens can currently get health care (and the American tax payer pays for it) via obtain health care through emergency medical services because Regan made it law

Facts are stubborn and irritating when they are rammed up your behind in the "Arena" of public discourse
phanleypri
Patrick Hanley 1
You must not live in Kalifornia.
TiredTom
Tom Bruce 1
they do in California...
Nooge
Nooge -1
Nope

Again this is why TRump loves the undereducated They love getting spoon fed Pablum misinformation by Un-Truth Social


Noncitizen voting is real — But not where conspiracy theories claim

While many Americans may be surprised to learn it, noncitizens are legally allowed to vote in certain elections in the United States—a practice that dates back to the nation’s founding. However, it remains illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, a restriction made clear under federal law.

Historically, most U.S. states permitted noncitizen voting in local and state elections, especially during the expansion of U.S. territories. The practice was often used as an incentive to attract settlers and laborers to newly developing areas. Though far less common today, the legality of noncitizen voting in local elections remains in place in a handful of jurisdictions.

Currently, a few municipalities in California, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., allow noncitizens to vote in local races such as school board or city council elections. In 2022, New York City passed a law that would have permitted noncitizen voting in municipal elections, but it was later blocked by court rulings and has not been implemented.

Despite this limited and lawful practice, false claims have circulated online alleging widespread illegal voting by noncitizens, particularly in federal elections. These claims, such as recent viral allegations involving New York, have not been substantiated by evidence.

Source

Liberty Shield Network LLC is a group of veterans (and some military brats) who are tired of watching their brothers and sisters choose between getting used or left behind, so we decided to do something about it. If you’re ready to stop getting jerked around, to get off your mom’s couch, think for yourself, and actually do something to stop the destruction of our Nation, join us.
Nooge
Nooge 1
WRITING like THIS is a sign you KNOW no one agrees with your opinion

BTW why would you be for the Buffoon giving $20 BILLION to Argentina

MAGAtz say

Make Argentina Great Again
LeanderWilliams
Were I an air traffic controller and Air Force One was scheduled to fly, I'd issue a ground stop for FOD aboard the aircraft.
TimDyck
Tim Dyck 3
It’s not the president that is holding up their pay.

[This comment was deleted.]

Nooge
Nooge 1
But he will be "getting in a room" with Xi or Putin at a moments notice

Enjoy that cheap beef from Argentina
LEHSGM
First, the bill was to extend paying everyone at current levels through December. It was NOT the 2025 budget. Second, when the Affordable Care Act was passed, it was DESIGNED to have many subsidies sunset, not continue. We have other issues causing the high cost of mecidal coverage that need to be addressed and resolved. This is simply the Democrats holding the country hostage until they get what they want. Any additions to the current budget will be paid for by BORROWING more money and increasing our 37+ trillion dollar debt. There are too many loopholes in the system to simply continue in the way we have been going. COVID caused a huge increase because of decisions made and money handed out. The time when people budgeted to live within their means vs. their wants is gone. People today can't even function without electronic devices and the internet.
joelwiley
joel wiley 1
Maybe restoring funding for the IRS to collect more than the lowest
chris6610
Christopher SW 0
great article - read "behind" the Paywall - NOT!

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