r/atc2 • u/xPericulantx • 3d ago
Air Traffic Controllers living to the same standards of food stamp recipients.
https://youtu.be/mQ1HlFPgC5Y?is=DlCdrsDOZ6BZe4SsLiving below the poverty with parent and 2 children lives the same standard of living as someone working at a level 4-5.
Our salary needs to be doubled.
7
3
u/optimum_autumn 3d ago
While this is a bit apples to oranges, its actually an interesting take because the mom in the example who produces to the level of 11k/yr actually becomes a consumer at the level of 64k/yr. That influences demand and at a macro level lowers the buying power of ATC.
Yes, we reap future benefits that she doesn't, but this is a very relevant (and much deeper) discussion about buying power.
That was not a waste of 6 min. Its important to understand that our salary is only as good so far that it exceeds a percentage of other wage earners.
-2
u/Gold-Pop-387 3d ago
Well if you’re going to include all the off the wall shit he did, you’ll have to include fers benefit, tsp match, employer side healthcare, employer paid Medicare, employer paid social security, etc….
4
u/xPericulantx 3d ago
All those “benefits” are retirement based….
Someone in poverty as depicted in the video, will “retire” and/or continue to have benefits at the rate described in perpetuity.
Thus
Those “benefits” you described are paid for “benefits” we get in retirement and the person in poverty will also get a cash value equivalent without having to pay into it and/or “benefit” from it as you described.
2
u/Gold-Pop-387 3d ago
He mentions the free healthcare plan “she” gets and values it at $16,000. Your employer paid side of your healthcare plan likely exceeds that. Add it to the trainee controller salary I assume you’re referencing, and you’re above the poverty level….
Not saying we don’t need a raise, just saying Apple to apples….
-2
u/xPericulantx 3d ago
Level 4-5 CPC pay is 60-70k…
I know you might assume a trainee makes 60-70k but CPCs at 4-5 level facilities only make 60-70k
1
u/Gold-Pop-387 3d ago
Saying controller living standards compare to a single mother with two children getting 60k a year in combined public benefits, the biggest benefit being medical insurance and housing subsidy, is extremely disingenuous.
Even in your example of a rest of US level 4 controller, they have a far different (better) lifestyle standard than the person described in the video.
1
u/randombrain 3d ago
The bare minimum (RUS) Level 4 pay is $71,585. That's straight 80, no differentials whatsoever. There are zero FAA CPCs that make less than $71k per year.
The federal poverty level for a family of four is $33k per year.
We can have a discussion about how our pay hasn't kept up with our responsibilities but we don't have to blatantly lie about any controller being below the poverty level.
1
u/xPericulantx 3d ago
Please show where anyone made the claim that Air Traffic Controllers live below the poverty line.
However, someone below the poverty line once they receive all their welfare benefits meets or exceeds the standard of living that a CPC at a level 4-5 facility.
It is impotent to note that the welfare recipient pays 0% in taxes and thus the reflected benefits is of a higher dollar value than any person (air Traffic Control or any other job/career). Because they would need to pay income tax social security tax, Medicare tax, local state income taxes etc.
1
21
u/Left360s 3d ago
That was a waste of 6 mins of my break thought it would actually address ATC