There's a fine line between noble dedication and being a doormat.
If the inspectors (and anyone else caught in political maneuverings who aren't getting paid) refuse to work without a paycheck, then maybe it would matter enough to Congress to actually make an effort to find a solution instead of bolting off on vacation.
This has nothing to do with a strike, it's Congress refusing to agree on a budget or allowing a funding extension for the FAA. And our government is losing millions, maybe even billions, in tax revenues due to the shutdown. How hypocritical to claim austerity needs and bray about spending cuts when their own actions are costing our country a shit ton of money.
As long as people let politicians walk all over them, then they're gonna get walked all over.
Washington Post article