FAA Inspectors should refuse to inspect...

[Blue State Bandit]

...planes carrying members of congress blocking passage of this bill and tell the passengers why. They are working for no pay, at the're own expense, and I don't see why anyone could fault them.

I'm just sayin'.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. Where did you hear they are working without pay?

Flagrant violation of Federal law if true.

Note that all safety essential personnel at the FAA are still on duty including Air Traffic Control

[spanone]

3. here....

There is no end in sight as dozens of FAA inspectors continue to work without pay after having been asked to stay on the job and to charge government travel expenses to their personal credit cards to keep airports operating safely. 75,000 construction workers are out of work, the FAA shutdown has already cost $360 million, and the U.S. government could lose roughly $1 billion in tax revenues on airline ticket sales. Democratic leaders in Washington are screaming loud and often over the impasse, labeling Republicans as "terrorists" and "holding the nation's air traffic control system hostage."

http://rotor.com/Default.aspx?TabId=177&newsid375=73577

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. Inspectors are really checking the airline process, not every plane...

Other aviation rags are not saying the inspectors were furloughed. Having them work without pay is illegal under Federal law. They and their supervisors could get in serious hot water from OPM if that is true.

[spanone]

8. About 40 airport certification inspectors- are working without pay

Air traffic controllers are still on the job, as are safety inspectors who check aircraft. About 40 airport certification inspectors — including five based in Atlanta — are working without pay and fronting their travel expenses to do annual airport inspections until the FAA can repay them.

http://www.ajc.com/business/another-washington-stalemate-grounds-1072627.html?cxtype=rss_business_87628

[ProgressiveProfessor]

10. FAA does not consider Airport Inspectors as safety critical

I could go both ways on that...

[Blue State Bandit]

9. After 9/11, I would conciser them "First-Responders"...

...as I'm sure may others do. I don't see much difference between them and an off-duty cop. You may be technically correct, but I doubt such a rule could be enforceable. The moment it becomes public perception that un-inspected planes are carrying passengers, no one will want to fly.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

11. They are inspected...but not by the FAA. It has been that way for decades

Same with general aviation.

[Blue State Bandit]

12. The inspections are certified by FAA inspectors though, right? But then...

...how would they be subject to federal law if they weren't FAA?

"The moment it becomes public perception that un-inspected planes are carrying passengers, no one will want to fly."

If we want such an action to be effective in this "Disaster-Politics" era in Washington, we have to play their game better.

Shut it down? Why, when you can just shut "Them" down?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

14. No, the process is reviewed by the FAA and the shop certified

In that process planes do get looked at, but not all of them. Individuals also get certified to inspect aircraft of various types.

As I understand it (it is not real clear from the FAA) A/C inspectors were not furloughed but airport inspectors were. If you have better/different data than that I would like to see it.

[spanone]

2. God forbid, but if a plane goes down it could get really ugly.

whether it was caused by this b.s. or not.

[MichiganVote]

4. If Congress can abdicate its responsibilities-these people should not have to work

[Blue State Bandit]

5. Let the congressperson explain to there constituents waiting with him at the gate.

That would be a you-tube moment to behold!

[WillyT]

7. And The Public Should Support Them, By Refusing To Fly

Amtrak could use the boost as well.

:shrug:

:kick: & Rec!!!

[ProgressiveProfessor]

15. Most of the tourists get non-refundable tickets

Business has limited choices and Gov employees have less.

[Angleae]

13. FAA inspectors don't actually inspect much these days anyway.

It's rare when they actually go out to the planes. They'd rather just inspect paperwork. In 17 years of being a commercial aviatiion mechanic, I can't actually remember seeing a FAA inspector on the hangar floor.