OT: Newark airport

[e5fdny]

It’s funny how the “walking off” part was not mentioned in the initial coverage on this.

All we heard were equipment issues, runway construction, staffing problems, etc.

It would be interesting to find out the staffing issues could have possibly been self inflicted.

 

[DHajekRC84]

It’s funny how the “walking off” part was not mentioned in the initial coverage on this.

All we heard were equipment issues, runway construction, staffing problems, etc.

It would be interesting to find out the staffing issues could have possibly been self inflicted.

Already reported as such above a few posts. True or not IDK but sounds reasonable.

 

[ClassOf02v.2]

It’s funny how the “walking off” part was not mentioned in the initial coverage on this.

All we heard were equipment issues, runway construction, staffing problems, etc.

It would be interesting to find out the staffing issues could have possibly been self inflicted.

Hmmm, every source I read on the issues at EWR referenced the ATC walkout/staffing issues along with the runway construction.

 

[e5fdny]

Already reported as such above a few posts. True or not IDK but sounds reasonable.

Hmmm, every source I read on the issues at EWR referenced the ATC walkout/staffing issues along with the runway construction.

The initial reports I saw, across different local TV channels btw, mentioned the staffing issues but not the walkout/off part.

 

[Knight Shift]

You do realize they've been having issues since last year (not to this extent) when they moved airspace control of the Newark area from Newark to Philly, they relocated over a dozen air traffic controllers in the change. This was supposed to ease the burden on Newark but didn't. Now you add in the 20% walkout because they didn't like how things were being run after the move, coupled with runway construction and here we are. This had nothing to do with DOGE.

I see that from news reports, but never had an issue flying out of Newark until Friday night. So we agree, the extent of the problem has increased due to (1) construction; (2) ATC walkoffs. Think it is fair to say that things have gotten worse since DOGE has moved in, exacerbating an already bad problem. My post was merely following up on the the post by @RULoyal , where it was reported FAA Commissioner Duffy got into a snit with the snot Elon. I'm not anti-Elon, and I am behind reducing the size of the government, but this DOGE is not going about it thoughtfully, and areas such as ATC and 911 survivor programs for first responders should be the LAST programs that get touched.

 

[Knight Shift]

Only if you believe government is efficient and good at running things. Otherwise, they are doing what should have been done decades ago.

I'm on board with cutting the government. As a matter of fact, saw a lot of social media posts of CSPAN videos of cuts purportedly made by the Obama and Clinton administrations. Purportedly, because it is sometime difficult to tell what is real, what is AI generated or regenerated.

Not sure why a few of you turds are trying to get a non-political thread forced to the CE board when this is a valid topic. It’s like you can’t help yourselves from acting like immature adults.

I still own the word turd with respect to what he was doing with ATC firings (Sean Duffy from the FAA said he heard this directly from DOGE personnel) and 911 first responder programs. There was nothing political intended.

As usual, someone took the comment out of context and went into a bunch of whataboutisms pertaining to saving astronauts and helping in NC. Admirable things Musk did there, and he should be commended. Two things can be true at the same time, can't they? The problem here, is a group of posters on this board get all out of whack and take any criticism to a next level and resort to namecalling and political BS. People used to be able to have reasoned discussions and criticize without turning a discussion into a donnybrook.

 

[e5fdny]

They left their posts.

Last time they did that, somethin’ happened.

 

[WhichReligionIsRight]

One can’t place all the blame on the current administration - FAA staff shortages have been an issue for decades. But cutting FAA staff earlier in the year wasn’t helpful for anyone wanting smooth travel.

 

[DJ Spanky]

Geeze guys, c'mon, can't we have a discussion without devolving into a political pissing match?

 

[DHajekRC84]

Geeze guys, c'mon, can't we have a discussion without devolving into a political pissing match?

Thank you.

 

[koleszar]

Hmmm, every source I read on the issues at EWR referenced the ATC walkout/staffing issues along with the runway construction.

Every report I've seen so far has been about staffing issues. Absolutely nothing about 20% walking off the job because they're pissed how things are being run since the FAA moved air space control down to Philly. They've had nothing but problems since it occurred last summer and nothings been fixed.

 

[Postman_1]

 

[JayDogSmooth]

Just boarded 9;30 am Richmond flight out of Newark - As of now, its supposedly on time

But as im typing this, text message coming through saying delays a possibility

First world country having third world issues

 

[yesrutgers01]

Just boarded 9;30 am Richmond flight out of Newark - As of now, its supposedly on time

But as im typing this, text message coming through saying delays a possibility

First world country having third world issues

I am sure you will be ok...like I said, my wife got these same messages and still had no issues. I don't think any of the United flights yesterday morning had issues at all.

 

[Captain Hogleg]

Complete circus trying to fly in to Newark today. Flight departure has changed 3 times already.

 

[JayDogSmooth]

I am sure you will be ok...like I said, my wife got these same messages and still had no issues. I don't think any of the United flights yesterday morning had issues at all.

Ultimately things were fine, but new warnings have been issued today by the FAA and United CEO, things should be interesting in the coming months

 

[JayDogSmooth]

Just landed in Richmond, going to Norfolk for a meeting, but had to fly here instead as in Norfolk flights got a lot of whack

Trying to get an Uber down there it’s proving to be challenging, but I’m sure it will be fine

Getting luggage here was easy, that was a big relief

Boarded the plane on time in Newark, pilot then said they were 20 planes in front of us waiting to takeoff, should be about 45 to 50 minutes, 930 flight took off at 10:20

 

[beaced_rivals]

Thank you Burt. Hope you are feeling well.

How well can one feel as99?I haven't gone on a hot date for too many years

 

[yesrutgers01]

How well can one feel as99?I haven't gone on a hot date for too many years

As you know, my Dad would have been the same age as you. Born in 1925. You have lived through an amazing time of human history. You have seen the world change before your eyes. Keep going my friend and keep your sense of humor.

 

[Knight Shift]

May have found a small workaround, unless things get worse. We were scheduled to leave PHX Saturday late morning, moved that to the earliest morning flight, only to find on flight aware that flight has been canceled twice in the last week. Checked with someone who is pilot for another airline about what to do best, and recommended taking the redeye, which we booked for Friday night. Fingers crossed. Need to be home by Sunday to head to a college graduation in Connecticut.

 

[RU206]

https://www.nj.com/news/2025/05/uni...avoiding-newark-find-a-different-airport.html

 

[ejgonz]

https://www.nj.com/news/2025/05/uni...avoiding-newark-find-a-different-airport.html

I’m flying tomorrow night to Minneapolis for work. Just changed my flight from United out of EWR to Delta flying out of PHL. Cost my company $800, not including the $350 credit for United.

 

[ashokan]

Drudge made Newark a headline

 

[gmay8]

I was trying to book a United/EWR vacation flight (traveling in August) for my family this morning around 10am. I was trying to book roundtrip, 4 seats. The website kept on crashing, stalling, refreshing, cancelling, it was a disaster. The website was clearly overworked with tons of people probably trying to change flights/reschedule.

 

[tom1944]

I was trying to book a United/EWR vacation flight (traveling in August) for my family this morning around 10am. I was trying to book roundtrip, 4 seats. The website kept on crashing, stalling, refreshing, cancelling, it was a disaster. The website was clearly overworked with tons of people probably trying to change flights/reschedule.

I have to book for August also.

I might wait a few weeks and see what it looks like

 

[famousbill19]

Just arrived from Zurich into EWR at 1:00pm this afternoon, right on time if not a bit early. With Global Entry and carry on only, we were at the Uber stand in 20 minutes. No issues whatsoever.

 

[RUschool]

I heard they are replacing equipment which will be implemented over the next 3 years. Does anyone know why there was a walkout? Doge didn’t get rid of any air controllers but did get rid of workers that assisted the air controllers.

 

[DC8690]

I'm on board with cutting the government. As a matter of fact, saw a lot of social media posts of CSPAN videos of cuts purportedly made by the Obama and Clinton administrations. Purportedly, because it is sometime difficult to tell what is real, what is AI generated or regenerated.


I still own the word turd with respect to what he was doing with ATC firings (Sean Duffy from the FAA said he heard this directly from DOGE personnel) and 911 first responder programs. There was nothing political intended.

As usual, someone took the comment out of context and went into a bunch of whataboutisms pertaining to saving astronauts and helping in NC. Admirable things Musk did there, and he should be commended. Two things can be true at the same time, can't they? The problem here, is a group of posters on this board get all out of whack and take any criticism to a next level and resort to namecalling and political BS. People used to be able to have reasoned discussions and criticize without turning a discussion into a donnybrook.

But there were no ATC firings correct?

In the article it even has a tweet from Elon asking former ATC to come out of retirement.

 

[e5fdny]

I was trying to book a United/EWR vacation flight (traveling in August) for my family this morning around 10am. I was trying to book roundtrip, 4 seats. The website kept on crashing, stalling, refreshing, cancelling, it was a disaster. The website was clearly overworked with tons of people probably trying to change flights/reschedule.

I have to book for August also.

I might wait a few weeks and see what it looks like

Ours are already booked for Rome in August. Also United. We did it in March though.

Just arrived from Zurich into EWR at 1:00pm this afternoon, right on time if not a bit early. With Global Entry and carry on only, we were at the Uber stand in 20 minutes. No issues whatsoever.

Good to know as I my Wife and I have Global Entry too.

 

[JayDogSmooth]

This is beyond alarming

 

[ru66]

Seems like anything you read from any source,left or right , is slanted-- trust nothing. Remember when the press seemed to be the source of truth-- Ealter Cronkite days are over.

 

[MrsScrew_rivals32693]

This is beyond alarming

I was just going to post this. I'm watching local ABC News and they're saying that a lot of ATC took medical leave after this because they were so distraught over the inability to see hear or guide any aircraft in the area

 

[e5fdny]

I was just going to post this. I'm watching local ABC News and they're saying that a lot of ATC took medical leave after this because they were so distraught over the inability to see here or guide any aircraft in the area

I get that. Stressful job. Very stressful.

But that’s what you signed up for. There isn’t a draft to be an air traffic controller with the goal to work at a major airport.

 

[yesrutgers01]

I get that. Stressful job. Very stressful.

But that’s what you signed up for. There isn’t a draft to be an air traffic controller with the goal to work at a major airport.

In the early 90’s…my wife and I rented a home from a ATC up in Poughkeepsie NY.
This woman was completely unhinged. We gave her a bit of a break as we knew how hard and stressful that job was.

I think that like many jobs- this woman was making serious cash but with limited skills. And unless you had a high degree to go with tge experience- it just didn’t allow someone to get out of it and make the same cash.

 

[e5fdny]

In the early 90’s…my wife and I rented a home from a ATC up in Poughkeepsie NY.
This woman was completely unhinged. We gave her a bit of a break as we knew how hard and stressful that job was.

I think that like many jobs- this woman was making serious cash *but with limited skills. And unless you had a high degree to go with tge experience- it just didn’t allow someone to get out of it and make the same cash.

But that’s the choice that person made.

Way too stressful IMO. No windows. Lousy hours. Depending on the work location, tough to get to.

* And to add…considering what they are asked to do, maybe they should be asked for more (education, background checks, etc.).

 

[WhichReligionIsRight]

Is this a bad time to recommend an old Billy Bob movie - Pushing Tin?

 

[Jtung230]

NJ transit is trying to top EWR tonight

 

[e5fdny]

NJ transit is trying to top EWR tonight

I missed the 1st period and a little of the 2nd at a Ranger game in March because of them. Brutal.

 

[e5fdny]

Is this a bad time to recommend an old Billy Bob movie - Pushing Tin?

I liked John Cusack in that too.

 

[RC1978]

Traveled to Florida on Friday, mid morning flight , took off actually a few minutes early. Came home about 30 minutes ago , 8 hours later then I was supposed to.

I think it was a combination of weather and EWR being a mess this past week. I have to say though. I haven't been in Terminal A in years and WOW , what a great job they did.