Aviation Unions Release Dire Warning That System Could Collapse At Any Time

on March 14, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - MARCH 14: TSA agents work at the security checkpoint as Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) addressed the media about, 'President Trump's budget crisis', at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Inter... FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - MARCH 14: TSA agents work at the security checkpoint as Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) addressed the media about, 'President Trump's budget crisis', at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport on March 14, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The congresswoman criticized the proposed cuts to the TSA, FEMA, and NOAA as well as the changes to the Affordable Care Act. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Unions representing air traffic controllers, pilots and flight attendants released an alarming joint statement Wednesday warning that in an “unprecedented” situation like the current shutdown, they can’t predict “the point at which the entire system will break.”

“We cannot even calculate the level of risk currently at play,” the statement reads.

Union leaders warn that staffing is already at a “30-year low” and that the system is only limping forward due to unpaid employees working overtime. Without government funding, hiring is impossible and the worker scarcity will only worsen as fewer and fewer people can afford to keep working without pay.

“The situation is changing at a rapid pace,” they write. “Major airports are already seeing security checkpoint closures, with many more potentially to follow. Safety inspectors and federal cyber security staff are not back on the job at pre-shutdown levels, and those not on furlough are working without pay.”

“As union leaders, we find it unconscionable that aviation professionals are being asked to work without pay and in an air safety environment that is deteriorating by the day,” the statement concludes. “To avoid disruption to our aviation system, we urge Congress and the White House to take all necessary steps to end this shutdown immediately. “

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  1. When that happens oh great Orange Pustule you wont be able to ferry Malaria back and forth from Mara-lugi and you will be taking a bus to play golf

  2. Trump knows how to collapse aviation.
    It was called Trump Airlines.

  3. Hell-o, hell-o is anyone out there paying attention? It’s sounding a little more serious than trash in the parks (which we’ve heard nothing about for weeks). Are you waiting for a major catastrophe before you possibly do something?

  4. Avatar for tsp tsp says:

    Aviation systems could collapse?

    Well then, your choices are wall, or safe aviation in America.

    You choose.

  5. Avatar for mames5 mames5 says:

    “We’re going to win. We’re going to win so much. We’re going to win at trade, we’re going to win at the border. We’re going to win so much, you’re going to be so sick and tired of winning, you’re going to come to me and go ‘Please, please, we can’t win anymore.’ You’ve heard this one. You’ll say ‘Please, Mr. President, we beg you sir, we don’t want to win anymore. It’s too much. It’s not fair to everybody else. And I’m going to say ‘I’m sorry, but we’re going to keep winning, winning, winning," --Orange Ball of Gas, c. 2016

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