Our current U.S. government shutdown, which began last month, is already the longest in history. This unprecedented situation is creating chaos on air travel nationwide. Air traffic controllers, classified as essential workers, are required to continue their duties without pay, leading to increased stress and illness among these professionals. This unprecedented situation has prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement reduced flight operations at 40 major U.S. airports, including key hubs in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
Due in part to the FAA’s unforeseen consequences of their new mandates, more than 5,000 flights were cancelled or delayed on just Friday. This cut has real consequences for air traffic controllers. It not only restricts air service nationally, but it sends shockwaves across the whole travel and tourism ecosystem—including to affected passengers. Millions of travelers are experiencing untenable wait times, with some needing to be rebooked on flights or finding other modes of transportation. In addition, the shutdown has created travel panic by passengers. For frequent flyer advocate Joe Sullivan, whose flight to Atlanta was cancelled, it led to a rebooking experience so frustrating it pushed his travel plans back by more than 12 hours.
President Donald Trump has proposed ending the shutdown by eliminating the Senate’s filibuster rule, a move that has met resistance from Republicans who accuse Democrats of holding the government hostage over policy priorities. We’re heartened that Democrats have gone so far to be bold. They threaten to oppose any short-term funding bill unless Republicans will extend healthcare subsidies for low-income Americans. Currently the Senate is divided 53 Republicans to 47 Democrats. To pass any funding measure, they require a supermajority of 60 votes.
The implications of the shutdown go beyond petty politics and into the personal lives of air traffic controllers. Some have even been forced to take on second jobs in order to make ends meet during this unprecedented stretch of working without pay. As Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, noted, it’s a very dangerous situation. He thinks that air traffic controllers are the victims of political machinations in this game of chicken.
“We are going to do everything we can, but what we can’t do is somehow, suddenly put money in our own pocket,” – Nick Daniels
Daniels illustrated the growing risks that air traffic controllers are taking as they perform their duties in the worst economy since the depression.
“We need Congress to open the government,” – Nick Daniels
For the growing number of passengers who question the safety of air travel in this troubled time, the answer is not so easy. Frequent traveler Ben Sauceda raised an alarm. He feels concern handing over his life to air traffic controllers who are not paid for their service.
“I’m entrusting my life, every time I’m flying, with air traffic controllers,” – Ben Sauceda
He went on to say that the pressure of the unpaid work might impact their ability to do a good job.
“They’re phenomenal … but right now I’m putting [my life] into the hands of people who aren’t getting paid, and that puts a stress on them; when they’re trying to figure out how to feed their families,” – Ben Sauceda
Against this chaotic backdrop, harbingers of real travel disruption like traveler Ndenisarya Meekins are bearing the brunt of this uncertainty, as they mold their plans through the chaos.
“We have a lot of plans in New York, so it would have been a little bit of a catastrophe if we weren’t able to make it up,” – Ndenisarya Meekins
Thousands of passengers are now stuck, with the promise of an ending to the legislative gridlock being their only hope of returning to normal operation. The pain is most evident for newcomers to the workforce, or those getting ready to take life-changing journeys.
“I just graduated college. This is my first real job. I thought I had the golden ticket. I keep hoping stuff will get taken care of,” – Woman
With every passing day of this shutdown, fears deepen over its effects on air travel and safety. It’s all very much in flux as both sides of Congress continue to wrangle over their conflicting priorities.