That is funny running into a coworker on a delivery! I hope they fit the military category where they still are getting paychecks. That is something the president did very right, making sure our military gets paid even with the shutdown. But still, guys like you are surviving off side gig work. Even when you get the back pay, it goes to catch up bills that fell behind because you weren't getting paid. And then if the check is too big it increases your tax withholdings... You can't win either way!