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US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

bbc.com

161–170 of 612 posts

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#161
post #72
post #7

I’m glad to see this. The shutdown has been too “business as usual” for most Americans, while others are expected to work without pay, which is ridiculous.

Strictly speaking, their pay is delayed - they will be paid for all the work, eventually. Still, regular employees should not be going through this, though.

> they will be paid for all the work, eventually

The reductio on this argument ("why not just pay them for the year in a lump sum on December 31, 2019?") makes it obvious how inadequate it is given two pay periods have already been missed.

There are real financial costs being created (late fees, etc.) that the government is offloading onto its employees. This is dishonorable.

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#162
post #95
post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you got to any bank website at least the ones I bank with, there is a flashing notice on the front page, if I were a federal worker who needs assistance due to shut down. I am sure, certain workers have easy ways than others but to say that at least some banks have not stepped up is incorrect.

Some banks may be giving out loans, but they aren't going to be for everyone. Not everyone is 100% guaranteed to be able to return to their job after the shutdown. Banks know that.

They are guaranteed backpay though, so that should work as collateral.

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#163
post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Genuine, is it very cool when now there's possibly going to be a generational shortage of ATC people in the near future possibly as a direct result of this?

Sometimes tough decisions need to be made. Especially those that are to improve things in the long term, even if it hurts in the short term. That's what being a man is, being able to make hard decisions.

Isn’t this the exact opposite? It helped in the short term but hurts in the long term.

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#164
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Very painful? Why not just take out a loan? Wilbur Ross whole-heartedly recommends it!

Oh, no! That wasn't what he meant. The president clarified that he meant to say that grocery stores and banks will work with you and extend you credit.

“Banks will work with you and extend you credit” is exactly the same as “getting a loan”.

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#166
post #56

Bearing in mind that ~40% of american's could not come up with $400 to cover emergencies, this is going to become more prevalent in the next few days / weeks as people will simply not be able to afford gas to get to their unpaid work. I read an article today discussing how TSA workers in HI are living in their cars in the airport parking lot as they cannot afford to commute. The FBI just cancelled its internship prog…

I've seen too many people say, "Oh, government workers should all know this stuff happens all the time, and if they don't have months or years of savings in the bank then it's just their fault". It's really sad that instead of being compassionate, too many are focusing on what "should" be instead of what is the reality for many people. Like you point out, the reality is that most people don't have savings. They shoul…

A lot of people have a hard time showing empathy for others. Part of it can be due to immaturity or being overly sheltered, lack of social skills, etc. It's easy to be critical of others that make bad decisions but EVERYONE makes bad decisions, being imperfect and making mistakes is part of being human, and what might be easy for one person might not be easy for another person.

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#167
post #59

FWIW - house Democrats have voted against paying workers three times (so far). Most recently yesterday https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/melanie-arter/house-gop... OK - heres a left biased source: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/425858-house-rejects-gop-...

https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/cns-news/

Extreme conservative bias, nice source

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#168
Honestly I just don't want to fly at all until this whole thing is over. Who knows if on the day I want to fly there won't be a shortage of ATCs or TSA to man the "security" line?

We have 2 horrible years where Trump was in the White House and the GOP controlled the House and the Senate and there was no stomach for the border wall. To think there is any greater chance now that the Democrats control the House or that they could somehow be shamed into capitulating is laughable.

The public has generally not been kind to whatever party forced a shutdown. Look at Newt Gingrich's shutdown as one modern example. According to 538 it seems like people are (rightly) blaming Trump for this. Good.

My question is at what point do McConnell develop a spine and overrule the president? Because that's what it may well take. Either that or a rank-and-file revolt in the Senate.

I'm glad to see banks are trying to help out Federal workers who are hurt by this but the one question I have is: how can people live and have responsibilities and sudden expenses and not be able to come up with $500? I mean I realize this fact is the basis for the check cashing industry (which is predatory and should be outlawed) but I honestly couldn't live that way.

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#169
post #69

As a non US citizen, I don’t understand what’s that shutdown even about, seems like absurd thing to do. Is it all because of Trump or he is not the only one to blame? I remember there was some shutdown when Obama was there too? Or am I mistaken? Edit: downvoted for asking a question?

It seems like in the US the two legislative branches and the executive branch of government have to all agree each year on a budget, or else everything shuts down? It's a curious system, I think in most countries not being able to pass a budget would bring down the government and cause a new election. It seems to rely very strongly on politicians seeking compromise, which is ambitious!

A question to American posters: could any party holding any of the branches of government unilaterally shut down the entire government if they chose, until the next scheduled congressional or presidential election?

Re: US shutdown: Flight delays caused by staff shortages

#170

Bearing in mind that ~40% of american's could not come up with $400 to cover emergencies, this is going to become more prevalent in the next few days / weeks as people will simply not be able to afford gas to get to their unpaid work. I read an article today discussing how TSA workers in HI are living in their cars in the airport parking lot as they cannot afford to commute. The FBI just cancelled its internship prog…

>An administration official recommended that all those affected simply take out loans

that official is the billionaire Wilbur Ross. A historic precedent comes to mind https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_them_eat_cake .

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