How many Philadelphia government employees did it take to change a lightbulb at Philadelphia International Airport at the time the city went bankrupt in the 90s? FIVE!


Only electricians were allowed to touch lightbulbs to unscrew them, but they couldn't touch screwdrivers to get the fittings loose. Only carpenters could touch screwdrivers, so you needed both an electrician and a carpenter to begin with. A labourer had to carry a ladder so that the carpenter and electrician could climb up to the light fitting, which makes three, but labourers were at a higher pay level than a sweeper, so a fourth was needed to sweep up dirt falling from the fitting. Then, union rules stated that any work event involving four or more workers needed a supervisor! As a result they had teams of five travelling all over the airport to change a lightbulb.