Government Shutdown

[Daniel A]

We have booked air travel from Ft Lauderdale to Los Angeles in April.  If the government shutdown is still in effect and it is affecting TSA and air traffic to the point of air cancellations, what options would people have if they can't get to the port for embarkation?  Would we just lose the money for the cruise?  We got the Princess Platinum insurance but we booked our air travel separately.  Anyone ever have a similar experience?  We don't want to cancel the cruise at this point.

[Potstech]

If it lasts that long there will be bigger things to worry about than a cruise and transportation to it.  Would not do anything for a month or two.

[Cruise Raider]

47 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

We have booked air travel from Ft Lauderdale to Los Angeles in April.  If the government shutdown is still in effect and it is affecting TSA and air traffic to the point of air cancellations, what options would people have if they can't get to the port for embarkation?  Would we just lose the money for the cruise?  We got the Princess Platinum insurance but we booked our air travel separately.  Anyone ever have a similar experience?  We don't want to cancel the cruise at this point.

 

If you have the Platinum insurance protection, you will be able to get all monies (except for the insurance premium you've paid) back in cruise credits for any reason.  Just be sure to notify them as soon as you would know if you cannot make it.  You may not get a refund but you will definitely won't be out what you've paid for the cruise.   You may even be eligible for a refund, though, due to unanticipated travel delays.  Time will tell. 

 

 

 

[Colo Cruiser]

Your private air is not covered by Princess ins unless you book EZ Air.

You are on your own with that.

[cheeseclan]

Like others have said if this is still going in in April we are all screwed but mostly the workers who are not getting paid!!!!  The TSA and air traffic controllers will shut everything down before then .  They can only go for so long without $$$.  Soon they will all say we need paying jobs.  Airlines and cruise lines are also getting vocal.

 

The USCG is also unpaid and there are food banks all over the US to help them.  Disgraceful that it has come to this.  Sorry I digress but my DS is USCG!!!

 

i would not cancel your cruise now.  See what happens!

[pris993]

I have not hear of cancelled flights?  I live near San Francisco Airport... am I missing something.  I am a former Federal employee, don't think this should be an issue, airports will be staff with essential workers... go to the airport early to allow extra time. 

[cheeseclan]

33 minutes ago, pris993 said:

I have not hear of cancelled flights?  I live near San Francisco Airport... am I missing something.  I am a former Federal employee, don't think this should be an issue, airports will be staff with essential workers... go to the airport early to allow extra time. 

Agree that no flights are cancelled now but if this goes on for another month or so I think flights will cancel.  People cannot work for no money.  They need jobs that pay so they can pay their rent etc and feed their families.

As I was typing an aviation specialist was just on the news and said if this keeps up for another 2-4 weeks that he sees air travel stopping.   

I would hope then a deal could be reached so that things  could get back up and running.  After all congressman etc can’t get to and from their homes if no flights in the air!!!

 

 

[dog]

15 hours ago, Colo Cruiser said:

Your private air is not covered by Princess ins unless you book EZ Air.

You are on your own with that.

This is also what my TA has told me about this.

[Zach1213]

8 hours ago, pris993 said:

I have not hear of cancelled flights?  I live near San Francisco Airport... am I missing something.  I am a former Federal employee, don't think this should be an issue, airports will be staff with essential workers... go to the airport early to allow extra time. 

 

SFO is also one of the 10-15 airports in the US served by a private security company, not TSA. If they're like my local airport (Kansas City, which also has the private security) the SFO security folks are getting paid.

[SRF]

3 minutes ago, pris993 said:

I would not put too much importance  so called aviation experts, pilots are not on strike, airline crews are not on strike... this seems more like political posturing than reality.  Federal employees are hurting, hopefully a resolution will be achieved soon.  

What we can do to help is contact our congressional reps and let them know how we feel about all this.  Stay posted , doubt flights will be cancelled, since airline unions not involved. 

 

Flights don't fly without air traffic control.   And Air Traffic Controllers are one group not getting paid.

[SRF]

35 minutes ago, Zach1213 said:

 

SFO is also one of the 10-15 airports in the US served by a private security company, not TSA. If they're like my local airport (Kansas City, which also has the private security) the SFO security folks are getting paid.

 

Who is the contract with?  If it is a Federal contract, they may not be getting paid.  If it is with the local administration, then they are.

[Zach1213]

Covenant Aviation Security runs the security at SFO. From my understanding, most if not all of the private companies doing airport security in the US are paying their employees. Those employees are getting their paycheck from Covenant (or whatever other company is running it in the various other airports; I believe there are four companies running security in 10-15 airports), not Department of Homeland Security. Like I said, at Kansas City, they're definitely getting paid.

[Beachdude]

Consider a relaxed train trip west. You can rent a car for part of the trip is you like.

 

Burt

[MicCanberra]

I hope there isn't any disruptions for you or any other traveller. but chances are there will be as people not being paid may not show up for (unpaid) work, as they need to find other work that does pay.

[GottaKnowWhen]

On 1/21/2019 at 10:45 AM, Daniel A said:

We have booked air travel from Ft Lauderdale to Los Angeles in April.  If the government shutdown is still in effect and it is affecting TSA and air traffic to the point of air cancellations, what options would people have if they can't get to the port for embarkation?  Would we just lose the money for the cruise?  We got the Princess Platinum insurance but we booked our air travel separately.  Anyone ever have a similar experience?  We don't want to cancel the cruise at this point.

I did my college in NY State. Several vacation and Easter Break drives to Florida, and that was before Interstates. At this stage of life I would plan a 3-4 day leisurely drive to port, and start researching motel options along the way. Amtrak may also be an option...

[GottaKnowWhen]

On 1/21/2019 at 10:45 AM, Daniel A said:

We have booked air travel from Ft Lauderdale to Los Angeles in April.  If the government shutdown is still in effect and it is affecting TSA and air traffic to the point of air cancellations, what options would people have if they can't get to the port for embarkation?  Would we just lose the money for the cruise?  We got the Princess Platinum insurance but we booked our air travel separately.  Anyone ever have a similar experience?  We don't want to cancel the cruise at this point.

I did my college in NY State. Several vacation and Easter Break drives to Florida, and that was before Interstates. At this stage of life I would plan a 3-4 day leisurely drive to port, and start researching motel options along the way. Amtrak may also be an option...

[BDRebel]

I would love to take Amtrak to the cruise port, but to get to FLA from TEX you have to go through Chicago. A huge waste of time and money, and the ticket is as expensive as an airline which gets me there in a few hours rather than a week.

 

I really do wish they would re-open the Southern route from LA to Jacksonville they used to have.

[SRF]

22 hours ago, Zach1213 said:

Covenant Aviation Security runs the security at SFO. From my understanding, most if not all of the private companies doing airport security in the US are paying their employees. Those employees are getting their paycheck from Covenant (or whatever other company is running it in the various other airports; I believe there are four companies running security in 10-15 airports), not Department of Homeland Security. Like I said, at Kansas City, they're definitely getting paid.

 

The point is, is the COMPANY getting paid?  If a Federal contract, possibly not.

 

If this is the case, the company has a slush fund to pay, until this gets straightened out.

 

If they are state or local contract, it is probably being paid.

 

I heard an interesting thing on another board about the Coast Guard.   They are working a 3-3-3 schedule.  3 days on, 3 on call, 3 off, so that they can get part time jobs.

Edited January 23, 2019 by SRF

[Daniel A]

10 hours ago, GottaKnowWhen said:

I did my college in NY State. Several vacation and Easter Break drives to Florida, and that was before Interstates. At this stage of life I would plan a 3-4 day leisurely drive to port, and start researching motel options along the way. Amtrak may also be an option...

DW would be so stressed out after a coast to coast drive that it would take a couple of weeks for her to recover from the trip.  Wouldn't make for a relaxing cruise.  I suspect if things are so bad that planes aren't flying, the trains won' be running either and if they are, they will be filled with business travelers.

[MicCanberra]

I certainly wouldn't want to be driving for 4 days to start my holiday.

[Potstech]

Airports had the choice between TSA and private security. They are being paid for by the airport as part of their security arrangements.

[Aquahound]

10 hours ago, SRF said:

I heard an interesting thing on another board about the Coast Guard.   They are working a 3-3-3 schedule.  3 days on, 3 on call, 3 off, so that they can get part time jobs.

 

Only some Coasties who are land based are able to be afforded that schedule.  Those who are on ships and are at sea don't have this luxury.  

[Markanddonna]

I contacted John Glenn airport in Columbus and there was also an article in the newspaper today about this issue.  JG has the lowest absentee rate of the top 100 airports and has seen no problems.  They also have a job fair for the summer peak season!

[momesu]

Flying from Orlando to San Diego next week for a 18 night cruise. I'm less concerned about lack of TSA agents than stressed Air Traffic Controllers.  I can deal with long delays through security. I can't do anything to ensure my safety in the air.   If I have problems getting home after cruise I can deal with  that.  But sure want to get safely to the port.

 

[MicCanberra]

Hopefully, it doesn't affect me as I fly today and board my cruise tomorrow.