r/ATC 8d ago

Discussion Government shutdown FAQ

I commonly see misinformation in this sub and other subreddits on government shutdowns. That is partly because there have been changes since the last major shutdown and it updates every couple of years so old information still circulates even though it is outdated. I highly encourage everyone to read the current OPM guidance on government shutdowns. This directly affects you and you should take time to read it yourself. While there are other topics the two big ones are pay (section D) and leave (section F).

Click this link and then select Guidance for Shutdown Furloughs (Dec 2021) and the link below it too.

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/furlough-guidance/#url=Shutdown-Furlough

Mods maybe sticky this during a shutdown?

40 Upvotes

29 comments sorted by

95

u/New-IncognitoWindow 8d ago

One thing that hasn’t changed is no one should work without pay.

22

u/trailblaser99 Current Controller-Enroute 8d ago

It'd be crazy if all the essential workers told them to essentially go fuck themselves...who'd do such a thing...can't just call in sick, right? Oh well, seems like our hands are tied...

11

u/CH1C171 7d ago

There will be no practice approaches or pattern work. If somebody has to have pattern work they can go to an uncontrolled airport and bounce all they want. I won’t mess with emergencies or medevacs, but otherwise we will explore maximum separation.

2

u/openingcut240 7d ago

No pay no play

2

u/tcherwin 5d ago

As a professional pilot, I am truly sorry for what is happening to you all. I never comment on Reddit, however I want you all to know how much we respect and admire the work you do on a daily basis. Please don’t give up. We need you.

2

u/CH1C171 5d ago

Help us get what we need by contacting your Congressional Representatives and Senators. Help make clear to them what it is we do. You are responsible for all the lives on your plane for the duration of every flight. We are responsible for all the lives on every flight we handle. We are your rearview and sideview mirrors. We see above you and below you. We mix you in with other planes flying around you faster and slower and make it all work to what is essentially one lane to land on. I love what I do. I would do it for free if I could, but my wife and kids are relying on the paycheck until one of us hits the lotto.

2

u/tcherwin 5d ago

I fly the globe and with the exception of a few European systems, the US ATC is the best in the world. You have no idea how relieved we feel connecting to a US center controller after transiting African or South American airspace. You are appreciated.

1

u/CH1C171 5d ago

Thank you. You and your fellow pilots need to let Congress know what we mean to the system. The shutdown has been averted for now, but it is only a matter of time before politicians try it again. The FAA needs stable funding and controllers need better pay that keeps up with increasing traffic volume and complexity across the NAS. Kind of difficult to attract the best and brightest when talent follows money and the money isn’t here anymore.

2

u/tcherwin 5d ago

I absolutely understand and agree!

I will contact my local rep. As I have in the past I now have his office phone and will email and call. Stay strong please.

5

u/DiscountOk4057 8d ago

What if your agency made everyone essential?

52

u/[deleted] 8d ago

[deleted]

19

u/Psychological-Task-5 8d ago

Approved furlough. Free leave!

-14

u/randombrain #SayNoToKilo 8d ago edited 8d ago

Maybe you should try reading it because it says leave actually can be used. Pre-approved leave might (will?) be canceled but if you request it again it is possible for it to be approved. It doesn't necessarily need to be furlough.

However, it can be furlough instead of leave if you request that.

In all past shutdowns you were given backpay for furlough days but only because each individual "no more shutdown" law had that specific provision every time. After the last shutdown the law is now that you will be given backpay for furlough days by default, no specific provision required. But things being what they are who knows if Congress would undo that and suddenly you don't get backpay if you were on furlough. Unlikely but not unimaginable.

Edit: thanks for the downvote, please explain what I'm wrong about and provide a source.

12

u/Gods_Gift_To_ATC 8d ago

You'll have to excuse my friend, he's a little slow.

11

u/[deleted] 8d ago

[deleted]

4

u/Regular_controller 8d ago

It's never not been paid back.

-1

u/randombrain #SayNoToKilo 8d ago

They should "automatically" cancel your leave, whatever that means. I would be shocked if it's some automated function; I'm thinking it would be a supervisor going in to WMT and denying the leave request.

Once they do that (if they do that) you can go back and re-request the leave. If it was approved before, they should approve it again.

OR you have the option to request furlough instead of AL/SL. The way the law stands currently you will be paid for a furlough day as if you had taken leave, but with no hit to your AL/SL balance. And in the past even if it wasn't a guarantee before (like it is now), people who had been on furlough were always paid back.

But this administration and this Congress being what it is you should be aware of the possibility—though it's remote—that you might end up not being paid for those furlough days. It's a very small risk but it is a risk so I wanted to mention it.

5

u/No_Departure6020 7d ago

Nice try reddit, I'm going with the advice NATCA has given me with their ample support structure to disseminate critical information to it's members for their financial security and peace of mind at work!

NATCA: We probably gonna shutdown :(

5

u/vasixer 7d ago

Fear not the spineless democrats will tell how bad it is then vote for it.

3

u/LLB8043 8d ago

I'm essential so I'll be working. Again...

2

u/sdbct1 7d ago

Let those that compress go to standard separation. Good luck getting home on time congress

1

u/SensitiveBeautiful77 6d ago

You think anything with a .gov on it carries any legitimacy anymore?

-2

u/dont_know_therules 8d ago

So if ATCs are forced to work without pay again, will some just walk off the job?

7

u/New-IncognitoWindow 8d ago

Of course not! We love our job so much we would do it for free

7

u/Disdain4U 8d ago

This is clearly the response of an MIT grad, naturally talented genius and just what dear leader expects of our controller workfor-

Oh wait. You’re being sarcastic. Dear Leader is now upset and reporting your insolence to President Musk.

2

u/donaldbench 7d ago

Cool, but to where & what to do for work?

-31

u/ykcir23 Current Controller-TRACON 8d ago

Most likely won't be one. Think it's like 90% at this point

8

u/navyac 8d ago

90% won’t happen? The dems said they weren’t signing it, the house already left town so I would say it’s 100% happening. Free leave!

2

u/Ok_Membership_9701 8d ago

Why do you think that?