FAA people not at work because of shutdown

[Landman]

This morning I tried to create a flight plan in FSX and it replied that because of the govt. shutdown there was no one working in the flight service station so I can not file a flight plan.


Ha ha, no just kidding but after reading this news story:

http://news.yahoo.com/flying-without-a-safety-net--212833456.html

I thought, it makes no mention of FSS people. Does anyone know if the flight service stations are still functioning to allow people of file IFR flight plans? Or, are they furloughed as well like the safety inspectors and many of the controllers?

[evvatc]

All the FSS in the US, except Alaska, are operated by Lockheed Martin, not the FAA. I believe the emergency shutdown does not effect the privatized FSS and I would believe that the specialists in the FSS in Alaska would be considered an excepted employee, therefore would be at work and providing services but they do not know when they will receive their next paycheck.

Ask me how I know...

I'm one of the 13,000 controllers that go to work to provide a critical service and I'm not sure when my next payday will be.

I consider myself fortunate compared to the other FAA employees, that I consider essential to support a safe Air Traffic System, that are furloughed and not payed because someone well above my pay grade does not believe that they are essential.

[Landman]

Wow. Thank you for job you do.

I hope we don't have any tragedies because of understaffed ARTCC's.

[pilottj]

I wonder if NOAA weather data collection would be affected by the shutdown. That could potentially affect your flight simming, not to mention the safety of real world aviation.

[Landman]

I think a lot of the NOAA stuff is now automated. The weather station on 162.55 MHz in my area has an automated computer generated voice.

Love your Tejanahawk P-40 repaint by the way. I fly it often.

[srgalahad]

"In day two of the federal government shutdown (http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Government-Shutdown-Will-Affect-Aviators220656-1.html), airlines continue to run on schedule with fully staffed control towers, and general aviation pilots have seen few impacts -- but the longer it goes on, the more effects will be felt, according to GA advocacy groups. Although air traffic controllers remain on the job..."

link in the text refers to an earlier news item. Rest of article here: http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Continuing-Federal-Shutdown-Raises-Aviation-Concerns220677-1.html

[TeaSea]

Contracted services that were paid for before the change of the FY will remain in place. Those services are already bought and paid for, and can be for multiple years (typically 3) depending upon the terms of the contract. So FSS services in this case are not normally affected. Unfortunately for my organization, our contracts were to renew on 1 Oct (just bad timing). Lacking the spending authorization they could not, so all my contract employee's were told by the vendor to stay home. We were able to apply for an excepted status on one of the contracts and it was approved, so essentially the Gov't issues an IOU to the vendor, and our folks come to work. That covers half of them. The other contracts we could not get excepted.

For Government folks, "excepted" employee's, those designated as critical to particular missions or functions (war effort, public safety, etc....) remain on the job and are not furloughed. They may not take leave during this time period. At question, and the answer depends on which Federal Department you work for, is when you will get paid. You will be paid....it is unlawful to do volunteer work or involuntary servitude for the Federal Government (remember that slavery thing). So, by implication you will be re-imbursed for your work, and you will continue to accrue normal benefits...at question is when you will bet paid.

All DOD employee's in an excepted status (and I am one) will be paid on time....that was part of the spending authorization already signed into law.

However I can't claim sick leave or any other type of leave. I must enter myself into furlough status for that time period.

What I'm watching is the upcoming Columbus Holiday. It's normally a paid Federal Holiday, however we cannot take it. We must either work, or place ourselves on furlough.

We are finding that there are a lot of little things that hamper us. No fuel is available for Govt' vehicles (HMMWV's, Semi's, Generators) because there's no one to draw it from (GS employee on furlough). Certain orders cannot be processed (admin personnel on furlough). No one can travel (we had a major upgrade to a comm site scheduled--has to be put off). As time goes on these little things will start to build up, and likely the FAA is going to start seeing the same thing.

However, we are not experienceing the end of the world. I would far rather bite the bullet now and get a decent legislative compromise that will hold for a while rather than the month to month stuff. More than anything uncertainty affects our operations and ultimately costs a lot more.

Sorry, think I got away from the aviation theme for "Newshawks", but you will note I did mention the FAA...perhaps that will shield me from admin wrath. Well, maybe not.:mix-smi:

[Flyboy208]

As long as we keep this thread going in a positive , aviation themed discussion then all is good ! Mike :salute:

[pilottj]

I think a lot of the NOAA stuff is now automated. The weather station on 162.55 MHz in my area has an automated computer generated voice.

Love your Tejanahawk P-40 repaint by the way. I fly it often.

Thanks man, she was fun to paint :) One the many great things about this hobby. Enter the virtual world in FSX, there is no 'shutdown', no politics, no FAA, no rules, no wars, no drama...just us and our airplane. I find it can be quite therapeutic actually. :mixedsmi:
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