SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Over the past few weeks, air traffic controllers have received partial pay due to the federal government shutdown. Starting Tuesday, they will lose their first full paycheck.
Airports across the country are seeing more delayed and canceled flights due in part to staffing shortages.
US air traffic controllers – considered essential workers – have been asked to continue doing their jobs during the shutdown.
Tuesday marks the first day the monitors will go without full pay.
MORE: Air traffic control staffing problems spiked over the weekend, raising concerns about disruption
Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, issued this statement:
“With each passing day, monitors become more distracted by the risk of receiving $0 paychecks on Oct. 28, despite working 40 hours a week and, in many cases, mandatory overtime due to monitor staffing shortages.”
“It’s very important that they focus on their work,” said John Nance, an aviation expert.
There are about 13,000 air traffic controllers nationwide. Not getting paid can add tremendous stress to an already high-stress job, Nance said.
“We haven’t had enough air traffic controllers for decades, and these guys are on the front lines here without a paycheck now. We can’t expect them to do the job they’re expected to do,” Nance said.
On Fox News on Sunday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blamed Democrats for the shutdown and what’s happening to the monitors.
“I don’t want air traffic controllers going to the food bank,” Duffy said.
Some airports have seen staffing shortages, delays and, at Los Angeles International Airport last weekend – a ground stop.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had this to say about air traffic controller crews:
“As Secretary Duffy said, there are increasing staffing shortages across the system. When that happens, the FAA slows traffic to some airports to ensure safe operations.”
Back in 2019, the squeeze on air travel in the United States helped end a five-week government shutdown when many air traffic controllers stayed home on the same day.
Air travelers hope things don’t reach this level.
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