Retired ATC here.
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Controllers do get paid VERY well, especially EnRoute Controllers. Within any EnRoute center, there will be 150-300 controllers (+ 100 techs, managers, admin, HR, etc...) There is a wide variance of financial situations. Some controllers were single with no kids and no money issues. Some were a paycheck from being homeless...the same as any other organization. Some live within their means, some couldn't save a dollar if their lives depended on it (but they still ran aircraft tight). Kids, medical bills, tuition, braces...no different than anywhere...however...
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Controllers can't strike. When PATCO controllers walked out in 1981, Reagan fired them all and replaced them with Military controllers until new hires could be trained. It set precedent that striking for ATC is not allowed. Could they strategically call in sick? Yes. But management is looking for this. And with this current climate of "fire fed employees first, ask to return to work later", the current union (NATCA) is warning everyone not to call in sick in a coordinated manner. Especially with the NLRB unable to hear cases (due to the board not being filled by the current administration).
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Controllers will not just "Let planes crash". They will be petty, snarky, or may delay your flight, but no, they aren't going to "just let planes crash". Also, while controllers are not held personally liable for accidents, a controller CAN be held liable for proven negligence or intentionally crashing aircraft. Controllers make it a point of pride to work more planes with no accidents or loss of separation.
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No, controllers are not going to quit. It's a federal government job that pays well (when they get paid), with government benefits and a pension. It's a better job than almost any other in the country that takes a specific kind of visual and audio processing to perform. It's an exhilarating and challenging job that changes every day and makes you feel proud of what you do.
It's disingenuous to say "Don't like it? Quit." It takes years of training. It's one of the most stressful and emotionally taxing trainings that you can go through. It's a high paying job with a pension. You don't go through that fire just to give it all up.
Some controllers will need a second job. When the 35-day shutdown hit, I was fine the 1st partial paycheck. The first missed full check? Okay. But heading into the SECOND missed paycheck? Well...I was starting to see where I needed to move things around. Think about it. Half a paycheck. Then no paycheck. Then NO paycheck again! These things start to make you pucker a little more each time.
Is it really reasonable to say, "You get paid so well, you should be able to afford NOT GETTING PAID FOR OVER A MONTH (oh and...you still need to come in to work). I don't really know anyone that can take an entire month with no pay and just be okay.
Are we really using the avocado toast argument for ATC???
And, you can't REALLY get a second job. The FAA makes it clear that you are a controller 1st and any other job cannot supercede the duties of your ATC work. You are still working for the FAA, you're just not getting paid for it. So no, you can't just say, "You're not paying me, well, I'll just get a job at Walmart in the meantime"....you still got a shift to work!"
The solution is so much bigger than ATC. How we fund the government, WHY we even shut the government down, WHY we allow "essential" employees that are SO vital to our operation and national security that they CANNOT STOP WORKING even if they don't get paid. ATC is a pawn in the middle of the government shutdown b.s.