Posted on 10/13/2013 11:29:20 AM PDT by BulletBobCo
With the federal government shut down, air traffic controllers learned Friday that they'll be working without a paycheck until lawmakers start paying the bills again.
“We have a stressful job, this just adds to it,” said 26 year veteran air traffic controller Greg Colyer.
Colyer says after working an 80 hour pay period was stunned to see on his statement Friday that he had only been paid for 56 hours; right up until midnight October 1st.
He's worried what will happen if the shutdown stretches through the next pay period.
“In 2 weeks if congress doesn't pass a budget we're just going to get an I.O.U.” said Colyer
Coyler was one of many air traffic controllers who stressed their commitment to safety Saturday.
“We're dedicated professionals and we're going to go work every day and do our jobs like we're supposed to do. It's just this puts a little bit extra stress on us,” said Coyler.
Passengers flying Saturday were stunned to learn the air traffic controllers who guided their planes were working for free.
“If shutdowns are the way of the future, if the government can't make it work, then they need to think of certain classes of individuals that are exempt, and continue to get paid, and air traffic controllers being one of them,” said Justina Lee, who flew into Oakland from Orange County.
The air traffic controllers were informed that they would be paid when the shutdown is over, but Coyler said that they’re worried that some will not be able to cover their bills if the shutdown stretches too far.
There are many small airports which have airport controllers which aren’t really necessary. Lay those people off, and let their respective cities pick up the tab if they wish. There was a sequester threat list earlier this year, get it out and use it this time.
There hasn’t been a budget in 5 years, but some people don’t pay attention. He needs to call Harry Reid about why he shut down the government (because master Barack said so).
I checked a few more references. Evidently top salaries are in the range of $172,000 + OT.
26 years and didn’t save a dime. Phhttt!
My Dad was ATC for that long but I’ll be damned if he let his or his family’s ass breeze in the wind.
Greg, you sir are an idiot.
absolutely no sympathy for anyone that can’t live without income for at least 6 months!!
“What a rip off.”
You think YOU were ripped off......what about taxpayers?
You were paid for a job as agreed, and you’re pissed that you had to show up, just because someone else didn’t have to and still got paid?
Attitude adjustment time.
Its a nice salary but they also have to live in many of the highest cost of living areas.
How we just make them part of the private sector? The private sector is normally exempt from these kinds of stupid things.
Republicans should have had an “Instant Response” team in place weeks ago for EVERY one of these bogus shutdown stories, which all of us knew were going to happen.
Instead, low information voters read it, or hear about it, and Republicans have no timely and organized counter punch.
We are so pitiful.
Our leadership is so pitiful.
If he’s had a steady high-paying job for 26 years he should have a few bucks put away to carry him over.
Average pay over $120,000.
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Yes, and the poor babies are REQUIRED to retire at age 56. The horror....the horror....one of their paychecks may be received several weeks late. The horror.....
Average pay over $120,000.
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Yes, and the poor babies are REQUIRED to retire at age 56. The horror....the horror....one of their paychecks may be received several weeks late. The horror.....
Dale,
I know your a man of means but this story his hogwash. If you settle back and spend every dime that came in, it is the hallmark of a fool.
Greg may understand ground control but he should consider what happens if the SHTF.
regards,
RR
I did my job and got paid for it. I think I would have been happier if none of had got paid. Bill Klinton was president talked big but did little about the shutdown. Making one class of people work and telling others to go home is not good management practice as it creates strife among the work groups.
I can't recall if they needed college degrees or not.
The military trained them, paid them, and six years later they both walked over the line to excellent civilian jobs.
I don't know if you can still do that or not, but that remains the BEST job training program I have ever heard about.
You can still do it.
All you need is a good ASVAB score.
The pool gets more shallow every year. Thank you for nothing liberals.
Everyone should have six months of cash on hand.
“Making one class of people work and telling others to go home is not good management practice as it creates strife among the work groups.”
You miss the larger point. There may well be multiple classes among federal employees, but the true separation is between government employees and taxpayers. Taxpayers don’t get “back pay” for not showing up for work, no matter what the reason.
Obama needs to be impeached immediately! Remove him from our government now! He is a curse on the nation!
The real ripoffs of the federal government is some to the equipment systems that are pushed on the government and the technicians are forced to make them work because the contractor said it worked. IBM contracted with the FAA do deliver 36” displays for the Air traffic Controllers but could not make the system work. The next contractor also charged the government $1B for these same displays that had not been delivered. The tax payers always get the short end.
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