The government shutdown is now seriously affecting America’s skies. At airports from Chicago to Newark, air traffic controllers and other federal workers have just missed their first full paycheck.
United, Delta and JetBlue are now providing meals at hubs across the country, donating food to essential workers who keep flights running without pay.
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The airlines said it’s a small gesture of support as frustration grows 29 days into the government shutdown.
At LaGuardia Airport on Tuesday, transportation secretary Sean Duffy said the FAA budget did not have much flexibility to cover payroll, adding that the only real fix is to reopen the government.
Duffy also warned that staffing shortages account for up to 40% of flight delays this week.
Unions respond
The president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association said this makes our air less safe.
“We are the rope in this tug-of-war game, and that is what we’re trying to raise awareness about. As the pressure mounts, as the stress continues, our air traffic controllers are thinking about how to have a side job instead of about safety, instead of about the American flying public. We’re going to have to slow it down, as these people cannot focus on their jobs. That makes it less safe.”
— Nick Daniels, National Air Traffic Controllers Association President
The union stated that many controllers are taking on gig work just to cover their bills. Others said they’re choosing between medication and rent.
“We have to figure out what we’re going to do with what little money we may have left in savings, or how we’re going to figure out, are we going to get more money coming in? Are we going to start driving Uber? Are we going to start doing maybe DoorDash? Figure some other kind of way to generate income, while still going to our jobs in air traffic control facilities and doing the work in aviation safety professions across the country without getting paid.”
— Mark Rausch, National Air Traffic Controllers Association Region 10 Vice President
More than a million military and federal employees could miss pay again on Friday as the stalemate in Washington drags on and pressure rises far above the runways.
On Tuesday, the Senate failed to pass the House bill funding government operations through Nov. 21 for the 13th time. Republicans were again six votes short of the 60 necessary.
