Greetings,

My name is Loftin, a professional pilot with 24 years of aviation experience. I currently fly for a major airline in the United States. However, I am not representing any company in this matter. I come to you as a private citizen asking for help on others' behalf.

While Congress continues to be paid during this government shutdown, many hard-working families are having to do their already high-stress jobs under additional strain. The safety of my profession and many others is being affected immensely.

While many of us have thanked a controller on frequency, I think we can do much more. This effort is to directly assist our ATC Brothers and Sisters with items they desperately are in need of. If you are able, I am asking for donations in order to buy items for these amazing people.

These men and women, are responsible for the safe flights of millions of travelers all over the country, and continue to do their job proudly. Most would never in a million years ask for a handout. Therefore, I’d like us to offer help when none was asked.

The money raised here would go to assist these controllers directly with needs that have been identified by our points of contact within SLC Tower and TRACON. Some of the needs being identified are basic household items, baby diapers/wipes, and food items. There are many controllers who are new parents and several who are new to the area, fresh out of the ATC training pipeline (these new controllers make 48K a year their first year).

Per federal law there are several restrictions that come with such donations. Such as we cannot give them funds directly (not even gift cards to a grocery store or a card to pay for gas). Any and all funds will be used to purchase items for these essential workers and deliver them to the ATC facility directly which is located on airport property.

We hope other bases will expand this effort. I have personally spoken to these wonderful people and one can only imagine how dire the situation truly is. Some of these people have young famlies and have no local support system. They are struggling to even afford diapers for their newborns.

Please help if you are willing donate, if you can, to help ease the mental and financial struggle these men and women are facing every day not knowing when their next paycheck will come. Many have young families and are faced with impossible choices between their career and providing for their family.

Thank you VERY MUCH!