US Government Shutdown 2019 - Experiences

[bellsux]

Came through LAX and it was about 5 minutes per pax to process through customs in my sub line. When I got there I had a lot of basic questions asked rather than the normal standard questions and then told about the government workers not being paid etc. Very slowly flicking through my entire passport and very carefully placed WB stamp. I could almost describe it as a work to rule atmosphere. Just wondering if it was one off experience or anyone else experience the same lately?

 

[AisleSeat]

I flew DFW-SYD earlier this month when the shutdown was only a couple of weeks in and it seemed that TSA were not as short with people as I've usually experienced.

News from Hawaii today though, TSA agents there are handing in their resignations because Hawaii is too expensive of a place to live with no income.

TSA agents at Hawaii airports are starting to turn in their resignations

 

[Astro]

... because Hawaii is too expensive of a place to live with no income.

I'd ask where is??

I came through TBIT today off VA1 - 18 minutes from plane door to kerb. My colleagues on VA7 which landed a 45 minutes later took almost an hour and a half.

Lucky?

 

[AisleSeat]

I was going to create a new thread with this story, but figured to keep all shutdown news in here.

Air Traffic Controllers, Pilots, Flight Attendants Detail Serious Safety Concerns Due to Shutdown

Air Traffic Controllers, Pilots, Flight Attendants Detail Serious Safety Concerns Due to Shutdown

We have a growing concern for the safety and security of our members, our airlines, and the traveling public due to the government shutdown. This is already the longest government shutdown in the history of the United States and there is no end in sight. In our risk averse industry, we cannot even calculate the level of risk currently at play, nor predict the point at which the entire system will break. It is unprecedented.

Here's a relevant Wikipedia article.
Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (1968) - Wikipedia

In 1981 11,000 ATC went on strike. Reagan fired them all, then made law that if ATC went on strike they'd lose their jobs and maybe go to jail.

 

[harvyk]

So does anyone want to try and take guesses on how long this will last? I've got a trip booked to the US in April, and whilst I would think that it would be business as normal by then, the way this is going I wouldn't be willing to bet the house on everything being ok by then.

Ironically the cost of this shutdown to the US economy is approaching what it would have simply cost to give Trump his damn wall.

 

[docjames]

Has there been any effect on ESTA processing (times)?

 

[AisleSeat]

Has there been any effect on ESTA processing (times)?

Doesn't appear so.
Search Twitter - ESTA shutdown

People are saying that their applications are being processed.

 

[Isochronous]

Disgusting behaviour by Pelosi and Schumer. They should get out of the way, fund the wall and re-open government (but only after permanently firing a lot of the indolent bureaucrats not currently being paid who really aren't necessary) but of course the modern Democratic Party is a lunatic left zoo that would rather hand out free stuff to illegal aliens than protect American citizens.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Disgusting behaviour by Pelosi and Schumer. They should get out of the way, fund the wall and re-open government (but only after permanently firing a lot of the indolent bureaucrats not currently being paid who really aren't necessary) but of course the modern Democratic Party is a lunatic left zoo that would rather hand out free stuff to illegal aliens than protect American citizens.

Yep 100% agree - all the Dems fault - they are the ones who shut down Govt!

And don't forget Mexico was 'happy to pay for the wall' as promised by POTUS pre election - now was that a 'Core Promise' or a 'Non Core Promise'? Cause after all just not possible that Politicians to right of centre would tell porky pies just to get elected would they? Nah that's the domain of the Como Pinko Lezzo lefties isn't it?

Note: Re this thread - was only going to be a matter of time wasn't it?

 

[kyanar]

Disgusting behaviour by Pelosi and Schumer. They should get out of the way, fund the wall

Why? The wall is wholly unnecessary. There are numerous sources responding to Trump with facts regarding the lower crime and recidivism rates from illegal immigrants vs native-born Americans, and the higher levels of education and financial security among migrants vs native-born, and the list goes on. This wall will achieve nothing other than waste billions of dollars - why do you think states like Texas and California, who live on that border, oppose the wall?

 

[ozjuice]

My ESTA was processed in normal time so no issue so far.

 

[AisleSeat]

Yep 100% agree - all the Dems fault - they are the ones who shut down Govt!

And don't forget Mexico was 'happy to pay for the wall' as promised by POTUS pre election - now was that a 'Core Promise' or a 'Non Core Promise'? Cause after all just not possible that Politicians to right of centre would tell porky pies just to get elected would they? Nah that's the domain of the Como Pinko Lezzo lefties isn't it?

Note: Re this thread - was only going to be a matter of time wasn't it?

Also don't forget that the GOP had control of the House and Senate for the last 2 years. This whole wall business only became an "emergency" when the Dems took the House back at the mid-terms.

 

[Isochronous]

Yep 100% agree - all the Dems fault - they are the ones who shut down Govt!

And don't forget Mexico was 'happy to pay for the wall' as promised by POTUS pre election - now was that a 'Core Promise' or a 'Non Core Promise'? Cause after all just not possible that Politicians to right of centre would tell porky pies just to get elected would they? Nah that's the domain of the Como Pinko Lezzo lefties isn't it?

Note: Re this thread - was only going to be a matter of time wasn't it?

Paid for by the new trade agreement.

Why? The wall is wholly unnecessary. There are numerous sources responding to Trump with facts regarding the lower crime and recidivism rates from illegal immigrants vs native-born Americans, and the higher levels of education and financial security among migrants vs native-born, and the list goes on. This wall will achieve nothing other than waste billions of dollars - why do you think states like Texas and California, who live on that border, oppose the wall?

The "sources" you refer to moronically conflate the statistics and behaviour of legal migrants with the statistics and behaviour of illegal migrants. There is a world of difference between the two.

Walls work. Even that idiot Jim Acosta visited the walled section of Texas and found that they didn't have a problem with illegal border crossings anymore. Also look at Hungary and Israel.

Also don't forget that the GOP had control of the House and Senate for the last 2 years. This whole wall business only became an "emergency" when the Dems took the House back at the mid-terms.

The House has already passed a bill that would fund the wall. The issue is the need for 60 votes in the Senate to avoid a filibuster. The GOP never had 60 seats in the Senate. Now they could abolish the filibuster but then they would be accused of removing a check and balance. That being said, many of the GOP congressmen and senators share the lunatic leftism of their Democratic counterparts, so I would agree that the Congressional/Senate GOP are not entirely blameless.

 

[cambriamarsh]

Yep 100% agree - all the Dems fault - they are the ones who shut down Govt!

And don't forget Mexico was 'happy to pay for the wall' as promised by POTUS pre election - now was that a 'Core Promise' or a 'Non Core Promise'? Cause after all just not possible that Politicians to right of centre would tell porky pies just to get elected would they? Nah that's the domain of the Como Pinko Lezzo lefties isn't it?

Note: Re this thread - was only going to be a matter of time wasn't it?

I’m probably more pinko than swivel eyed RoC but I am troubled by the polarisation of politics in the US. Sensible thoughtful debate doesn’t seem to be involved any more.

 

[Pushka]

So does anyone want to try and take guesses on how long this will last? I've got a trip booked to the US in April, and whilst I would think that it would be business as normal by then, the way this is going I wouldn't be willing to bet the house on everything being ok by then.

Ironically the cost of this shutdown to the US economy is approaching what it would have simply cost to give Trump his damn wall.

We are off to US in May and will interact with Border Security multiple times. Into SFO, then into Vancouver then out of Canada and into US on an Alaskan cruise. Coast guard also involved.

Both parties are at fault but both will need to save face for there to be a resolution. Not a trump fan but he did win the election saying he would build the wall so really I don’t see why congress can stop that. Whether there is a point to the wall is completely irrelevant. Lots of things that Governments do are completely irrelevant so that’s a moot point. I’m not really not into the Black and White that characterises American psyche. There’s good and not so good in both sides.

Our ESTA was processed normally a couple of weeks ago. However a permit for a camping trip to the Grand Canyon has been delayed.

I cannot imagine how hard they are making it for families to go without wages. Disgusting.

 

[amaroo]

I’m probably more pinko than swivel eyed RoC but I am troubled by the polarisation of politics in the US. Sensible thoughtful debate doesn’t seem to be involved any more.

Indeed. Just look at the confected outrage a kid wearing a red hat can produce As usual, two days later the full story is revealed and all the haters suddenly stop twitting. Funny stuff ..... as long you're not the target of next twitter hate campaign.

 

[serfty]

[Moderator Hat]

Please refrain from comment about the reasons/politics for the shutdown. Keep any comment to the effects.

I draw attention to this post: Political Threads in the Playground

Any further such comment will be deleted.​

[/moderator hat]

 

[Himeno]

LGA closed to inbound traffic for an hour this morning due to shortage of ATC. Outbound suffering gate holds of 30+ mins.

 

[leadman]

My post from another thread on Tuesday;

" It really is a "hit and miss". I came through LAX from TPE on EVA and onto Reno yesterday. Choice was arrive 6:40 and book the 8:20 to RNO, but with the shutdown in mind, coming off SA to OW, early morning, a previous stuff-up etc,. i opted for the 9:56 via PHX. What happened was close to record time through customs. Would you believe just under 22 minutes from plane to out on the street! For the first time my luggage was at the carousel, the line moved rapidly for passport stamp, officer took your card on-the-spot so there was no final checking as you left. No queues anywhere! Even SIN might not be able to match it.

I was at the AA check in at 7:10 but unfortunately the 8:20 flight was sold. But that was a rarity and would not even gamble that would happen again. Would still opt for the 9:56. The other one is LAX is not the most passenger friendly when you have to sprint between terminals.

One noticeable mention was that all the staff with the current shutdown seemed to have lost their motivation. The guy stamping the passport couldn't give a rat's bum, but i understand why with the craziness going on there. There was also the lack of "shouting" from all the TSA officers telling people what to do. the five terminals i visited yesterday were very subdued."

Flying to FLL on Sunday so see what it is like then.

 

[Pushka]

Seems it is over maybe? For 3 weeks anyway.
Trump ‘near deal to reopen government’