As the federal government shutdown extends into its fourth week, federal workers are increasingly feeling the financial strain. In response, the Port of Portland has set up two donation bins at Portland International Airport (PDX) to support air travel employees, including air traffic controllers and TSA agents, who have gone without pay during this challenging period.
The donation bins, conveniently located pre-security by the stadium stairs in the new main terminal, aim to provide assistance to those working tirelessly while facing economic hardship. Many federal employees have shown remarkable dedication, continuing to fulfill their duties despite the lack of compensation. According to Portland resident Jeff Bryan, “Most people I think in this country are only a paycheck or two away from being homeless themselves, and here are people going through a month without pay and still showing up to work.”
Another traveler, Megan Foley, expressed her surprise at the initiative, stating, “We didn’t know there were donation bins, so that’s nice to see that when we come back, we can leave something.” The bins accept a variety of items, though specific guidelines on what can and cannot be donated have been provided at the site.
Community Support Amid Financial Hardship
The current situation highlights the difficult circumstances faced by many federal employees. As air traffic controllers and TSA agents continue to work without pay, community members are stepping up to help. “This is a hard time to go without,” Bryan emphasized. “It is very important that people do donate to these things, and I’m glad they exist.”
In a related development, the city of Denver has proposed a plan to pay its air traffic controllers directly during the shutdown. However, the Port of Portland has indicated that no such mechanism exists for them to provide similar assistance. A spokesperson for the Port stated, “While we are intrigued by Denver International Airport’s proposal to pay air traffic controllers, there is no existing mechanism that allows for the Port of Portland to pay any federal employees working at PDX, including FAA air traffic controllers or TSA agents.”
Safety Concerns and Flight Operations
The ongoing shutdown has raised significant safety concerns, particularly as air traffic controllers work overtime without compensation. Traveler Laurie Foley expressed these worries, noting, “They’ve been working overtime with no pay, and we really rely on them for safety.”
In response to these safety issues, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy recently announced a reduction of 10% in flight traffic at the nation’s busiest airports, including PDX. “We’re trying to prevent the pressure that we now see building in the system,” Duffy explained.
As the shutdown lingers, travelers are anxious about the potential impact on holiday travel. Megan Foley highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, “Hopefully, everyone can get where they need to be for the holidays, but hopefully, they get paid to help us get there.”
The community response through donation efforts underscores the solidarity among residents as they support federal workers facing unprecedented challenges during the shutdown.
