USMCFLYR

Semantics I guess - but yes - the furloughs are mandatory. It isn't like I have a choice to take those days off or work if I wish.
Opinion I guess.
My emails from the Administrator says they had no other choice.

Quote:

I have unfortunately found it necessary to approve a request to implement a "save money" furlough of FAA employees for up to eleven (11) work days or eighty-eight (88) hours, beginning on or about April 7 through September 30, 2013.

I'm certainly not in a position to argue either way. I don't pretend to understand the intricacies of running the NAS or adminstering the agency.

I'll take my cuts and continue to do the best job I can in the mean time.
Hopefully our government will get their act straightened out soon enough to minimize the overall impact.

FDXLAG

For some reason the Administrator E Mails you one claim and testifies another:

"In addition, after weeks of claims by Secretary LaHood and Administrator Huerta that the Administration has no flexibility in the implementation of the spending reductions, Administrator Huerta walked back claims under direct questioning on the issue by Ranking Member Thune at the hearing. Administrator Huerta admitted that the FAA has the flexibility under current law to transfer up to two percent of funding from one activity to another without Congressional action. Also, under direct questioning, Administrator Huerta admitted the FAA has the authority to request reprogramming of funds which could lessen the safety impact of certain sequestration cuts that the FAA is currently working to implement."

Press Releases - Press Room - U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation

But don't let a crisis go to waste.

USMCFLYR

WHAT!
Politicans speaking out of both sides of their mouths?

I see a lot of talk of flexibility but no mention of being able to avoid the furloughs.

I think they need to get back to work.

FDXLAG

Even with the sequester they have more money this year than last year and they knew about this 18 months ago. I would like to see them get back to work too, but we are borrowing 40 cents out of every 100 we spend.

VFA201

i think the lenders see the light and the borrowing has turned into printing. There is no way we are going to pay off the debt so all of this budget talk is just that, we will have to let things play out...in the meantime why not keep everyone working until TSHTF?

FDXLAG

They can there is money there. For some reason they have decided it would be better to furlough then move money around. But since it is just monopoly money I say we hire 10% more double their vacations and give everyone a free Obamaphone.