Government Shutdown

[32andBelow]

"BREAKING: Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport closes TSA security checkpoint due to staffing shortage, making it the first airport to do so - KTRK"

Quick, give them another $500!!! ????

Miami closed checkpoints and made airlines put their flights on different gates already.

 

[DankVectorz]

Miami closed checkpoints and made airlines put their flights on different gates already.

Miami closed an entire terminal

 

[ATCJoe85]

"In some sense, they are better off"- I would somewhat agree that as soon as it was guaranteed they would get backpay, they were to some degree better off. But that wasn't until what, a few days ago? So until then- over the actual Christmas holiday- furloughed workers had to worry and stress about getting paid- at all.

 

[DankVectorz]

Literally no one is better off. Forced time off from work isn’t a vacation when you don’t know when that backpay is coming. I highly highly doubt the vast majority of furloughed workers are treating this time as a vacation.

 

[ATCJoe85]

I'd argue that those staying home and not having to work who will eventually get backpay are better off than those commuting to work, spending their time at work to eventually get backpay.

Probable exceptions amidst, but as a generality...

But correct in that viewing any of us as "better off" in some regard diminishes the significance of not getting paid on time.

 

[BrocolliRob]

The only advantage they have in my eyes is that they can go try and get a job until this blows over. I’d be trying to tend bar right now if it didn’t mean risking my job.

 

[PushingTin]

what is the real story behind 50,000 TSA employees getting bonuses? Will other agencies (FAA) whose workers are similarly working without pay follow suit? There seems to be total radio silence on this. Collaboration is supposed to be at an all time high, right? We seem to be going in the opposite direction 😕

 

[Shikaka]

@PushingTin they were having a fairly sizable sick-out, affecting the operations of airports. Gov decided to hang 5 c-notes in front of them in hopes to stop it...doesn't seem like it's worked though.

 

[PushingTin]

@PushingTin they were having a fairly sizable sick-out, affecting the operations of airports. Gov decided to hang 5 c-notes in front of them in hopes to stop it...doesn't seem like it's worked though.

i know im just sayin... controllers could use some C-notes too right about now... ATc not even sicking out!

 

[JamJets]

"On Friday, we told you that NATCA had filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on behalf of our members who have not been paid for their work since the FAA's appropriations lapsed in late December. The judge granted our request for an expedited hearing. It has been scheduled for Monday at noon EST."

Any chance this judge actually makes a ruling that realistically allows controllers to get paid any time soon? ?

I personally see the lawsuit going one of three ways:

1) It gets thrown out and we're told to suck it up (I believe this is the most likely scenario FWIW)

2) The FAA is given a choice; back pay us immediately and proceed with payroll as if the government isn't shut down, or treat us as the rest of the government and send us home.

3) We're told to keep coming in, not pay us, and we're due damages when this whole thing concludes (something akin to interest on back pay or something similar).

 

[32andBelow]

Since backpay is guaranteed now won’t they start making more departments essential now. Like training for instance.

 

[liter a cola]

Since backpay is guaranteed now won’t they start making more departments essential now. Like training for instance.

Nothing is guaranteed until the ink is dry and you have it. Last I saw the backpay bill is only through the senate, although if it was going to get hung up that's where it would happen.

 

[PushingTin]

I personally see the lawsuit going one of three ways:

1) It gets thrown out and we're told to suck it up (I believe this is the most likely scenario FWIW)

2) The FAA is given a choice; back pay us immediately and proceed with payroll as if the government isn't shut down, or treat us as the rest of the government and send us home.

3) We're told to keep coming in, not pay us, and we're due damages when this whole thing concludes (something akin to interest on back pay or something similar).

I think the 1st scenario is most unlikely. There is clearly a more likely than not scenario that NATCA prevails on the merits, as the FLSA (Et al) is clearly being violated. Even though Judge Leon was appointed by Bush, if you look at his judicial record he has not been shy about ruling against the government numerous times. So I think the only question is whether or not whatever he orders means anything as a practical matter to when NATCA members get paid. Is it appealed higher? etc. Does this federal judge have the ability to craft an order that has any teeth... or will it just be symbolic?

 

[DankVectorz]

I personally see the lawsuit going one of three ways:

1) It gets thrown out and we're told to suck it up (I believe this is the most likely scenario FWIW)

2) The FAA is given a choice; back pay us immediately and proceed with payroll as if the government isn't shut down, or treat us as the rest of the government and send us home.

3) We're told to keep coming in, not pay us, and we're due damages when this whole thing concludes (something akin to interest on back pay or something similar).

#1 is highly unlikely if for no other reason than a similar lawsuit in 2013 set precedent.

 

[ColdAilment]

I personally see the lawsuit going one of three ways:

1) It gets thrown out and we're told to suck it up (I believe this is the most likely scenario FWIW)

2) The FAA is given a choice; back pay us immediately and proceed with payroll as if the government isn't shut down, or treat us as the rest of the government and send us home.

3) We're told to keep coming in, not pay us, and we're due damages when this whole thing concludes (something akin to interest on back pay or something similar).

I'm betting on number 3.

 

[PushingTin]

Sounds like the TRO hearing in DC court has been postponed due to inclement WX 😕

"there will be one clear winner in this lawsuit either way.... Sister Molly Elkin"

 

[Radar Contact]

The TSA bonuses were already scheduled prior to the shutdown. They typically get a bonus every year. It was pushed through rather than being delayed because of the shutdown as a way to try to mitigate the employees missing a paycheck. Nothing much else to see here.

Source: My stepmom works for the TSA.

 

[GulfCharlie]

The TSA bonuses were already scheduled prior to the shutdown. They typically get a bonus every year. It was pushed through rather than being delayed because of the shutdown as a way to try to mitigate the employees missing a paycheck. Nothing much else to see here.

Source: My stepmom works for the TSA.

I miss you...

 

[Dontbotherme]

Helped hand out leaflets and hold signs at the ATL airport this morning. TSA reached 4.5 wait times to get through security lines this morning.

 

[liter a cola]

Helped hand out leaflets and hold signs at the ATL airport this morning. TSA reached 4.5 wait times to get through security lines this morning.

4.5 as is four and a half hours?