Posted on 01/17/2019 1:38:05 PM PST by EdnaMode
When it comes to Super Bowl LIII, air traffic controllers are flying blind.
The government shutdown has already resulted in canceled planning meetings for the Feb. 3 game in Atlanta, and if the federal budget impasse continues, airport screeners and flight controllers at the busiest airport in the world will be working on game day for no pay.
Dan McCabe, a National Air Traffic Controllers Association representative, told NBC News that his colleagues had been holding meetings over the past year to prepare for the surge in travelers to the area. But now the planning meetings, which included officials from his union, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Football League, have been grounded.
"As soon as the shutdown happened, these meetings stopped happening," McCabe said. As a result, controllers feel less prepared than they'd like for the anticipated 1,500 additional flights a day to the area during Super Bowl week.
"When we work on something as big as the Super Bowl the biggest spectator event in the country it takes us a lot of time to plan on extra airplanes and traffic," McCabe said. "We're going to keep the event safe, but we want it to be an enjoyable event for everybody. It's frustrating that I know it won't be as good as it could be."
The impact of the shutdown has already been on display at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Travelers say they have been forced to wait on security lines for up to three hours because of a shortage of Transportation Security Administration agents, who've also been working without pay.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
Before we weep any tears for the NFL, keep in mind, these are the people who either REFUSED to respect our National Banner and Anthem, or gave moral support to those who DID refuse. It’s time those felons got a little blowback from their immoral stupidity.
The NFL hates America so SCREW THEM.
the shutdown is even effecting the weather this year im told ..
Union: “Nice Super Bowl you have there. Be a shame if...”
F the NFL.
They having another one of those things? Been three years since I saw one.
Have you heard of even one federal worker during this shutdown leaving to take a job in the private sector? Neither have I.
There has got to be at least one or two of them out there. I've read sob stories galore . . . but not one about them leaving for a job in the private sector. Not one. Why do you suppose that is?
I haven’t watched a stupor bowl since the mid 80s.
Shut it down, it means nothing.
Amazing isn’t it?
I think it's a risk I'm willing to take.
Cancel the Sucker Bowl.
Tell them when we have The Wall of the People and when the NFL bans kneeling or otherwise disrespecting our country, then we might reconsider.
Super Bowl? Won’t miss that either.
“When does the Shutdown start affecting the orbit of the Earth?”
IDK, maybe we better ask Hank Johnson. He did save Guam from capsizing.
You’re preaching to the choir and you’re right.
Maroon 5. Not rap. Probably some rap guest star. Not the first time by a long shot. It’s popular music.
That’s right. I don’t know who is going to play in the super bowl and couldn’t care less.
Exactly.
Go Griefs!
I watch the puppy bowl.
Where I live, we are getting some of the warmest winter weather ever. Don’t see how it has to do with the gov’t. shutdown, but if they canceled the Superbowl as well.......that would be a nice twofer.
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