In brief
Air traffic controllers will miss their paychecks as the government shutdown continues, raising concerns about the safety and financial well-being of employees who guide thousands of flights daily. Many controllers report increased stress and some are forced to take second jobs due to financial strain. The situation is leading to flight delays and disruptions at major airports as controllers call in sick more frequently. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlights the growing pressure on these essential workers, noting that the longer the shutdown persists, the worse conditions will get.
Air traffic controllers will miss their paychecks Tuesday because of the ongoing government shutdown, raising concerns that mounting financial stress could take a toll on the already understaffed employees who guide thousands of flights each day.
Flight delays are becoming more common across the country as more controllers call out sick. The Federal Aviation Administration was already short on controllers before the shutdown.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Nick Daniels, have emphasized the pressure that controllers are feeling. They warn that the problems are likely to worsen as the shutdown continues.
Controllers worry not only about paying their mortgages and groceries but in some cases about the cost of medicine for their families. Duffy shared a poignant story of a controller who had to tell his daughter she couldn’t join a volleyball team due to financial constraints.
“Air traffic controllers have to have 100% focus 100% of the time,” Daniels said during a news conference at LaGuardia Airport. He noted that controllers are struggling with critical financial issues affecting their work performance.
The FAA restricts the number of flights during controller shortages for safety, which has led to significant delays at major airports. Recently, Los Angeles International Airport had to halt all flights for nearly two hours.
Controllers plan to assemble outside airports nationwide to advocate for an end to the shutdown. Increased sick leave among controllers has been attributed to frustration and the need to seek secondary employment to support their families.
Duffy noted that the shutdown also hampers efforts to tackle a persistent shortage of about 3,000 controllers, affecting recruitment and training efforts severely.
The longer the shutdown persists, the more pressure will mount on Congress to reach an agreement to restore government funding.
