Travel Delays Rise As Air Traffic Controllers Call In Sick During Government Shutdown

Written By Guest User

The U.S. air traffic controller shortage is worsening due to the government shutdown, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday.

  • No controllers will be on duty for several hours Tuesday night at Nashville International Airport. The previous night, Hollywood Burbank Airport near Los Angeles also went empty due to sick outs. Flights into New York, Las Vegas, and Denver were also delayed due to staffing shortages.

    • Duffy the government shutdown is putting more stress on air traffic controllers who already have an extremely stressful job. He told Fox & Friends Tuesday that the FAA is slowing or grounding flights in some areas if there are not enough controllers.

STATE OF PLAY
About 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers are required to work through the shutdown, which started a week ago, but won’t be paid until it ends.

  • Duffy said there’s already been a “slight tick up” in sick calls since the shutdown started. He noted that many controllers, who work mandatory overtime and six-day weeks, are now considering side jobs to support their families.

  • Controllers are expected to miss their first paycheck on October 14. During the 2019 shutdown, a surge in sick calls among controllers caused widespread flight delays and helped bring that shutdown to a swift end.

Guest User
Previous

Supreme Court Justices Skeptical Of Ban On Conversion Therapy Ban For Minors
Next

Two Years After October 7 Attacks: Jews Face Rising Antisemitism & Violence