If they are allowed at work when they are not being paid, why don’t the airlines create a fund where they just pay them something so they can survive the shut down? IIRC the shutdown isn’t happening that often, they probably can just put money in it and use it when needed
They don't need an "emergency fund". It's not like the government maintains this giant sack of money in the basement of Congress that they reach into to pay government employees. They are still buying and redeeming treasury bills and notes. They -could- pay government employees (see also: Congress is getting paid) but they won't because the strategy to grief normal people while they fight is deliberate.
They can speak to the people actually working on the job? Even if there's no one to give the airlines a list the pilots can deliver the message when they talk at take off and landing.
