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rustysunshine.bsky.social
cactus hugging lady terminator
@rustysunshine.bsky.social
860 followers 800 following 280 posts
Air traffic controller, cat lady (she/her/that bitch), hockey fan (#GoAvsGo), weather geek, reader, writer. Missing my dad. Colorado isn't bad, but I'd rather be in Las Vegas...or on a cold-weather cruise.
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rustysunshine.bsky.social
Washington, DC, Nov. 9, 2025 – National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen issued the following statement today in response to additional restrictions on general aviation operations at 12 of the nation’s busiest airports, planned for implementation at midnight Eastern Standard Time tonight. “Last week, restrictions were announced on all aviation operations, including general aviation operations, at 40 U.S. airports,” Bolen noted. “Today, further restrictions were announced that will effectively prohibit business aviation operations at 12 of those airports, disproportionately impacting general aviation, an industry that creates more than a million jobs, generates $340 billion in economic impact and supports humanitarian flights every day. Operational Impacts to Business Aviation Starting at midnight EST tonight, all non-scheduled operations will be effectively prohibited at the following Class B airports served primarily by commercial airlines: Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) Denver International Airport (DEN) General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport (BOS) George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) These restrictions will be published as individual NOTAMs at each affected facility. Limited exceptions will be made for based aircraft, emergency, medical, law-enforcement, firefighting, military operations, or unless authorized by the FAA. Business aircraft operators should also prepare for further delays and restrictions at any of the 40 airports impacted by the emergency order, or being affected by limited controller staffing.
November 10, 2025 at 5:06 PM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
That's what is meant when there's a reference to "escape routes" in the daily plan. You can get out of the specified terminal area, but only if you agree to fly at a lower altitude. It relieves some of the traffic volume in saturated higher-altitude sectors.
A screenshot from nasstatus.faa.gov, which describes the traffic plan for the national airspace system at any given time.
November 10, 2025 at 4:37 AM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
For those of you just joining this party, I have not been paid for any of the work I've done since October 3rd. You're welcome. #airtrafficcontrol
The top half of the image is a screenshot of my last pay stub from my job as an air traffic controller, employed by the FAA. My net pay is $0.00. This is the second such zero pay stub, and the one previous to *those* was short by 20 hours. The bottom half of the image is a black and white tuxedo cat, giving a classic feline look of derision, in an upward direction.
November 7, 2025 at 12:26 AM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
...happy Thursday, everyone.
#airtrafficcontrol #federalemployee
Image of the author's leave and earnings statement, from her federal job as an air traffic controller. The total pay is $0.00.
October 23, 2025 at 11:27 AM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
Post your friend shapes 🐾🐾 #Caturday
Two black and white cats are sitting on the window sill, intently monitoring a robin's nest that isn't visible in the photo. Blue sky, pine trees, and the neighbor's house are seen in the background.
May 17, 2025 at 2:55 AM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
"Safe, orderly, and expeditious" is at risk *every time* a facility has an understaffed shift, or a major equipment failure.
From FAA Order 7110.65BB (our rule book) Chapter 2. General Control Section 1. General 2−1−1. ATC SERVICE a. The primary purpose of the ATC system is to prevent a collision involving aircraft operating in the system. b. In addition to its primary purpose, the ATC system also: 1. Provides a safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic. 2. Supports National Security and Homeland Defense missions. c. The ATC system must provide certain additional services to the extent permitted. The provision of additional services is not optional on the part of the controller, but rather required when the work situation permits. It is recognized that the provision of these services may be precluded by various factors, including, but not limited to: 1. Volume of traffic. 2. Frequency congestion. 3. Quality of surveillance. 4. Controller workload. 5. Higher priority duties. 6. The physical inability to scan and detect situations falling in this category.
May 12, 2025 at 12:54 AM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
How's the air traffic control system doing today, anyway?

Oh.
Screenshot from the Air Traffic Control System Command Center website. This shows current delay advisory information for Newark. Highlighted is the current maximum delay, listed at 1442 minutes. Yes, that's OVER 24 HOURS.
May 6, 2025 at 7:15 PM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
Current mood, post-work:
A solo king penguin has bellyflopped onto the ground on a grassy hill, apparently disinterested in socialization. I don't blame them one bit.
May 3, 2025 at 10:06 PM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
Nope, I am NOT here to listen to an airline CEO accuse my fellow air traffic controllers of an illegal job action. Normal sick leave usage is not "walking off the job".

Working perpetually short-staffed rotating shifts, six days a week, ABSOLUTELY TAKES A TOLL ON ONE'S HEALTH. (Ask me how I know!)
In the past few days, on more than one occasion, technology that FAA air traffic controllers rely on to manage the airplanes coming in and out of Newark airport failed, resulting in dozens of diverted flights, hundreds of delayed and canceled flights, and worst of all, thousands of customers with disrupted travel plans. Unfortunately, the technology issues were compounded as over 20% of the FAA controllers for EWR walked off the job. Keep in mind, this particular air traffic control facility has been chronically understaffed for years, and without these controllers, it's now clear - and the FAA tells us - that Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead. United CEO Scott Kirby
May 3, 2025 at 1:46 PM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
Just to make today's briefing abundantly clear: if you're a bb FAA academy graduate, you get a bonus. If you're an air traffic controller who's eligible to retire, you also get a bonus.

If you're somewhere in the middle, well, you should be happy working six day weeks, with a stagnating salary! 😑
The increased pay list Certified professional controllers who are eligible for retirement will receive a 20% lump sum payment for each year they continue to work, the department said in a statement on Thursday. New hires and graduates of the Federal Aviation Administration's academy for controllers who complete initial qualification training will get a $5,000 award. Graduates will get $10,000 if they're assigned to one of 13 locations that are considered difficult to staff, according to a statement.
May 1, 2025 at 4:30 PM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
www.reddit.com/r/ATC/s/6ePG...
Air Services Australia: let's fix our staffing by hiring international applicants FAA: Just assign OT to cover the staffing losses. Work harder, don't delay anyone US Government: No raise next year. And we want to cut your retirement and health benefits NATCA: We are monitoring the situation
April 21, 2025 at 9:07 PM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
Because THIS is what's going to make us safer? Fucking with the National Weather Service/NOAA as spring/summer weather kicks off? Jesus fuck, it's like they WANT another cascade of terrible headlines about aviation and air traffic. Weather is absolutely integral to what we do.

Below: today.
A screenshot of the FlightAware app, showing air traffic in eastern Colorado, southwestern Nebraska, and western Kansas. Scattered areas of precipitation are depicted, most of which later developed into thunderstorms. Numerous aircraft are displayed, many of them established in or entering into holding patterns. The aircraft holding are delayed Denver arrivals, due to microbursts and windshear at the airport.
April 17, 2025 at 4:19 AM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
It seems that I chose wisely, when I added this tattoo to my sleeve two weeks ago 🐧🐧🐧
A tattoo of a king penguin, in boldly colored American Traditional style. Flowers and plants surround the penguin - the red diddle-dee berry, the white and lavender pale maiden, and boxwood, all in honor of the Falkland Islands. The background is Tiffany blue, chosen to bring to mind the beautiful ocean waters in that region.
April 5, 2025 at 10:48 PM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
Same.
Flight confirmation for a trip to Buenos Aires.
January 17, 2025 at 1:09 AM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
I'm starting 2025's travel in a couple weeks, flying DEN-ATL-EZE, for this cruise...so, same ✈️
A map depicting the southern portion of South America, showing a cruise itinerary. The sailing begins in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and visits numerous stops - Punta Arenas, Chile; Ushuaia, Argentina; the Antarctic peninsula; the Falkland Islands; and Montevideo, Uruguay.
January 1, 2025 at 6:50 AM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
Unable. I swore an oath of office when I was hired as an air traffic controller, which included a promise not to strike. Please see Title 5 of the United States Code.
Loyalty and striking U.S. Code Title 5 An individual may not accept or hold a position in the Government of the United States or the government of the District of Columbia if he- (1) advocates the overthrow of our constitutional form of government; (2) is a member of an organization that he knows advocates the overthrow of our constitutional form of government; (3) participates in a strike, or asserts the right to strike, against the Government of the United States or the government of the District of Columbia; or
December 20, 2024 at 1:26 AM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
It's travel vaccine day - none are *required* for my itinerary, but they were recommended to me due to medical history. I'm hoping to not be knocked flat on my ass for the rest of the weekend, as is typical for me with other vaccinations. Fingers crossed!
Screenshot of the Princess Cruises app. 38 days until embarkation!
December 14, 2024 at 3:52 PM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
I had a Velcro, too :) She was a great girl.
A close up photo of a black cat with white paws, and a huge explosion of white whiskers. Her eyes are closed, her ears are back, and she is draped over her human's hip. Her human is scratching the top of her head, between her ears, and she is tremendously happy. Her name was Velcro, and she was a very good girl.
November 30, 2024 at 12:06 PM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
I don't like most holidays, but #TuxedoCatDay is the kind of day I can respect. Alexander (The Great) is the bb, and Commander Riker is the distinguished young man. These boys are an honor to care for, and they bring so much light to my life 🥰 #catlady
A young male tuxedo kitten, with golden eyes, oversized ears, and a distinctive white mustache. He's wearing a turquoise jingle bell collar, resting on a shaggy blanket, and staring at the camera with slightly sleepy eyes. His name is Alexander. A four year old male tuxedo cat, with light green eyes, and a big white chest bib. He's wearing a collar with an iridescent star tag, looking at the camera. He's sitting straight up, on top of a rustic wooden coffee table, with all four paws close together, and his tail dangling down. His ears are turned out to the side, he is on alert and listening carefully. His name is Commander Riker.
November 30, 2024 at 1:27 AM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
The calm, dark waters of Glacier Bay, Alaska, ripple in the wake of a cruise ship. There are small pieces of blue glacier ice floating on the surface. Snow-capped mountains line the horizon, underneath a mostly-cloudy, early morning sky.
November 16, 2024 at 11:51 PM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
I've never been a person who sends postcards, even if part of me *wants* to be that person.

I'm very lucky to have a person (@allthingsshiny.bsky.social) who still sends me postcards, though ❤️
This is a photo postcard from the Aquarium of the Pacific. A reddish-orange octopus is moving away from the photographer, showing off the details of its tentacles (darker red ends, white suction cups). The octopus is shown against a background of multicolored rough rocks and small corals.
November 13, 2024 at 3:22 PM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
current mood.
November 7, 2024 at 4:37 AM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
No notes.
September 3, 2023 at 1:27 AM
rustysunshine.bsky.social
See also, "I got a capital D for you, bro." #airtrafficcontrol
September 2, 2023 at 11:36 PM