US pilots of various airlines have written a letter to the republican US President Donald Trump requesting that he give serious consideration to ending his government shutdown as his action is placing the welfare of the American public at risk.
Here is the rest of the story…
On January 6, 2019, Chris Matyszczk of Inc penned the following report, “In an Astonishing Letter, Delta and United Airlines Pilots Just Told President Trump To Stop and Think” (“Airline pilots are very worried about the government shutdown.”)
Excerpts:
Delta and United Airlines pilots — and those of JetBlue and many other airlines — have had enough.
In a scorchingly fact-based letter to President Trump, the Air Line Pilots Association — which represents 61,000 pilots — used simple words.
“Its president, Captain Joe DePete wrote:”
“I am writing to urge you to take the necessary steps to immediately end the shutdown of government agencies that is adversely affecting the safety, security and efficiency of our national airspace system.”
“DePete explained that the Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security operate as both regulators and service providers.”
“Mechanical inspections, drone oversight and new enhanced communications systems are all threatened.”
“Worse, air traffic controllers, airspace system maintenance personnel and air marshals are working unpaid.”
Moreover, CNN now reports that hundreds of TSA screeners are calling in sick. Could the fact that they’re not being paid have an influence? (Many could be doing side jobs as they need monies now.)
This, too, says DePete, could jeopardize safety:
The pressure these civil servants are facing at home should not be ignored. At some point, these dedicated federal employees will encounter personal financial damages that will take a long time from which to recover, if at all.
By writing directly to the president — and merely copying congressional leaders — the pilots appear to be holding him responsible for the potential dangers flowing from the shutdown.
It’s a remarkably forthright approach, one that might make some uncomfortable, given that it has inevitable political overtones.
By saying that only the president can and should take the necessary steps, the pilots seem to recognize that, whatever the merits (or demerits) of a wall, it isn’t worth risking airline safety for what some believe is a symbol of power, rather than an effective security measure.
The letter contains no words about the president’s reasons for the shutdown. It contains no expressions of understanding that a wall is important.
Gronda Morin 
Gronda, this is telling. One of the sad parts about the growing populist movement is to easily be convinced that governmental institutions are all bad. That is a lie. While we must guard against inefficiency and constantly evaluate effectiveness, these institutions do serve a purpose. This letter is evidence thereto. Keith
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Dear Keith,
The republican party likes to paint a negative picture about government services but I’m thinking the Democratic Party needs to do some educating. There are so many essential services that are provided like traffic control at airports, inspection of foods, FDA, medical research, care of the parks, Medicare, Social Security, etc.
I recall a right wing friend complaining about government assistance, I had to remind her that she had been on the social security SSI disability program before she qualified for Medicare. Because she had a serious heart condition, she needed this help. But how quickly these folks forget.
Hugs, Gronda
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