Air traffic controller Jack Criss is now clearing takeoffs and takeout orders. The single dad took on a side gig as a DoorDash delivery driver during the second-longest government shutdown in modern history in order to make some extra cash and cover his daughter's high school tuition.

For the past few weeks, air traffic controllers have been receiving partial pay – but next week, they're expected to miss their first full paychecks as the funding lapse continues.

"It's been incredibly difficult. You can feel the tension, and it's heavy…and it hurts," Criss said in an interview that aired on "CBS Saturday Mornings."

As the government shutdown rolls into Day 25, Congress remains unable to strike a deal. The Senate failed to advance measuresThursday that would pay federal employees like Criss.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 73 points 1 year ago (24 children)

ATCs should be striking right now. We don't need air travel. Shut down the skies and the Orange Reich will suffer.

  • source
  • hideshow 24 child comments
  • [–] 27 points 1 year ago (12 children)

    They've done that. Reagan fired all of them, which was kinda insane.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 12 child comments
  • [–] 18 points 1 year ago (8 children)

    That doesn't stop them from doing it again. Striking always carries the risk of being fired

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 8 child comments
  • [+] -7 points 1 year ago (6 children)

    This is a cringe and tone deaf response

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 6 child comments
  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (5 children)
  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (4 children)

    Strike. Get fired. Replaced

    0 change made

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 4 child comments
  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (2 children)
  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (1 child)

    The original comment that was being replied to was noting how that was done in the Reagan era—all were fired and replaced with military ones till replacements were gotten.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago

    Ya but Reagan's white house was at least competent. This white house can't even do construct without fucking up. The number of people that will end up dead because this administration will rush people into a very serious job.

  • source
  • parent
  • load more comments (-1 replies)
  • [–] 6 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    Eh, the world is a lot more dependent on air travel than we were in the 80s. I don't think Trump will be able to do the same

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago*

    theres also less atc willing to apply than before, plus its competitive too, so even less than that makes it through the application stage. they also have medical condition restrictions too, so not everyone that can be an ATC will be able to, which distills it further down.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 17 points 1 year ago (8 children)

    5 U.S.C. § 7311 essentially says federal employees do not have the legal right to strike. the last time ATC went on strike it did not go well for them

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 8 child comments
  • [–] 5 points 1 year ago (4 children)

    If they strike during a shutdown, what’s stopping them from bringing in private companies to replace the ATC workers? They’re literally taking money from billionaires to pay for some military shit and nothing is stopping them. I mean we’re so cooked.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 4 child comments
  • [–] 7 points 1 year ago

    that's essentially what Regan did back in the early 80s. used military controllers to replace the fired ones, decertified and dissolved the existing union. regardless of what the media and Duffy and the rest of the admin says, ATC are ultimately expendable in their eyes, even if it's too the detriment of everyone.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 8 points 1 year ago

    Oh they said they aren't allowed! In that case lol

    I'm not an air traffic controller but it seems they haven't been treated very well lately to Begin with and now they are asked to work without pay. At that point I would stop caring about what the people in charge told me.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 0 points 1 year ago

    And it won't be better now, but change does not come without a fight.

    They have a union, so they should have been collecting dues for a strike fund, right? If not, they need to start now, then strike as soon as they can.

  • source
  • parent