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Ground stop at JFK due to staffing

(www.fly.faa.gov)
202 points akersten | 2 comments | 31 Oct 25 01:48 UTC | HN request time: 0.431s | source
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johncolanduoni ◴[31 Oct 25 02:49 UTC] No.45767803[source]▶
The things that are and aren’t considered essential enough to fund during a government shutdown are insane. Is this enshrined in a statute somewhere? Feels like adding air traffic controllers to that list should be a no-brainer (and broadly politically popular).
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gruez ◴[31 Oct 25 02:55 UTC] No.45767839[source]▶
>Is this enshrined in a statute somewhere? Feels like adding air traffic controllers to that list should be a no-brainer (and broadly politically popular).

They are considered essential. That means they have to work, but not be paid.

https://time.com/7329683/government-shutdown-flight-delays-c...

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shadowgovt ◴[31 Oct 25 03:22 UTC] No.45768031[source]▶
So what happens if they don't show up? Are they at risk of jail or at risk of being fired and replaced by the new recruit, Michael McDoesnt-Exist (https://www.aviationtoday.com/2025/07/25/americas-atc-meltdo...)?
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1. johncolanduoni ◴[31 Oct 25 03:30 UTC] No.45768085[source]▶
I could imagine some sort of loss of seniority or pay level, even if they’d hire them right back because we already have an ATC shortage.
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2. shadowgovt ◴[31 Oct 25 03:35 UTC] No.45768130[source]▶
Well, that's certainly a negotiation standpoint the government can start from.

... But they're hurting for recruits in a big way so even at their size their negotiating position isn't as strong as they might want.