The U.S. government shutdown is straining aviation security and on-time travel as hundreds of air traffic controllers take second jobs after missing their first full paycheck, union officials say.
Key Points
As the U.S. government shutdown enters its 28th day, air traffic facilities that were already stretched are facing new pressure. Controllers and trainees have picked up side work to cover rent, groceries and utilities—from tutoring and waiting tables to driving for ride-hailing services and delivering food. Many are comparing options for zero-interest bridge loans, bill deferrals and local food assistance.
Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers are working without pay during the budget impasse. Elevated sick calls and thinning rosters have translated into more delays and cancellations, intensifying public scrutiny and adding urgency for lawmakers to end the stalemate.
According to flight-tracking data, nearly 7,000 flights were delayed on Monday and 8,800 on Sunday, with about 3,000 more delays logged by late afternoon Tuesday. Transportation officials said controller absences were the primary driver behind a spike in delays, accounting for 44% of delays Sunday and 24% Monday, compared with about 5% on average before the shutdown.
Key points:
- Hundreds of controllers are taking second jobs after missing their first full paycheck
- The FAA is about 3,500 controllers short of its staffing target
- Sick calls have increased, leading to thousands of daily delays and hundreds of cancellations
- Transportation officials say flying remains safe but flights will be slowed to match staffing
- Airlines reported heavy delays: Southwest 34% Monday, American 29%, Delta 22%, United 19%
How the U.S. government shutdown is hitting aviation security and operations
Union leaders describe an aviation workforce under financial strain that complicates a job requiring intense concentration. Trainees who recently moved for their first assignments and younger controllers with limited savings are among the most vulnerable, with some juggling weekend gigs and overnight shifts to keep up with bills.
Controllers are swapping notes on which creditors are offering grace periods, where to find donated groceries and how to access low-interest or zero-interest emergency loans. The scramble reflects the human side of a safety-critical profession, where the margin for error is thin and sustained focus is essential.
Because of the U.S. government shutdown, controllers and TSA officers are required to report for duty without pay. Union officials warn that financial distractions—especially for those early in their careers—can make an already demanding environment even more difficult. To protect safety when facilities are short-staffed, the FAA has been slowing the flow of flights through constrained airspace, which can ripple into longer ground holds and missed connections.
Airlines, airports and travelers feel the fallout
Transportation officials emphasized that it remains safe to fly, while acknowledging that controller absences and staffing shortfalls are driving a noticeable share of delays. The agency has said it will meter traffic into certain airspace or towers when staffing dips, prioritizing safety over speed.
The data had notable airline standouts. On Monday, Southwest saw 34% of its flights delayed, American registered 29%, Delta had 22% and United logged 19%, according to FlightAware. The dynamic is especially acute at high-volume hubs and in congested corridors along the East Coast, where even modest staffing gaps can cascade quickly through the system.
FAA staffing gap predates the U.S. government shutdown
Even before the U.S. government shutdown, the FAA was about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of its target staffing levels, agency figures show. Many facilities were already leaning on mandatory overtime, six-day weeks and schedule reshuffles to fill gaps. Training pipelines are lengthy and complex, and disruptions can set back the timeline for certifying new controllers at key facilities.
The combination of a pre-existing shortage and pay disruptions amplifies the risk of burnout. Leaders across the industry say the path to stability runs through predictable funding and uninterrupted training cycles, especially at busy towers, TRACONs and en route centers.
What officials and the union are saying
Union members distributed flyers at major airports, urging travelers to contact their representatives and press for a funding deal. Leaders said second jobs number in the hundreds now and could reach the thousands if the shutdown continues—an outcome they argue is untenable for a system that relies on unwavering attention.
A senior Transportation Department official, appearing with controllers at LaGuardia Airport, urged lawmakers to pass funding and restore pay. “Don’t hold our skies hostage,” the official said, adding that the department has limited options to pay controllers while the government remains closed.
Both sides in Washington are blaming each other for the impasse. Administration officials argue they lack legal flexibility to make payroll during a shutdown, while congressional leaders point to stalled negotiations and insist the other side must move first. For travelers—and for the workforce running the system—the day-to-day consequences are immediate.
What’s next if the U.S. government shutdown persists
If the U.S. government shutdown drags on, union leaders expect more controllers to seek additional work to bridge the gap, potentially widening scheduling challenges and elevating stress. In response, the FAA could broaden the use of traffic management initiatives—metering arrivals and departures, adjusting sector configurations and implementing ground delay programs to match throughput with available staffing.
The industry has seen this movie before. During a prior 35-day shutdown, rising controller and security screening absences led to longer checkpoint lines and traffic slowdowns in the New York and Washington regions. Those disruptions were widely seen as a tipping point that hastened a funding deal. This time, stakeholders hope a resolution arrives before delays escalate further at key hubs.
Conclusion
The aviation system is resilient, but it is not immune. Each additional day of the U.S. government shutdown adds stress to aviation security and operations, from the tower to the checkpoint and the gate. A swift funding agreement would restore pay, ease financial pressure on critical personnel and help stabilize schedules. Until then, officials will continue to prioritize safety—even if that means slowing flights—while travelers should stay close to airline alerts and allow extra time at the airport.
FAQ’s
Is it safe to fly during the U.S. government shutdown?
Yes. Officials say flying remains safe. The FAA slows or meters flights to match staffing levels, which can cause delays but maintains safety.
Why are flight delays surging during the U.S. government shutdown?
Controller absences and a preexisting FAA staffing gap of about 3,500 positions are driving delays. FlightAware reported thousands of delays on recent days as facilities manage reduced staffing.
Which airlines are most affected by the U.S. government shutdown?
It varies by day, but recent data showed Southwest with about 34% of flights delayed, American 29%, Delta 22% and United 19%, according to FlightAware.
What can travelers do to reduce disruption during the U.S. government shutdown?
Book early-morning nonstop flights when possible, monitor your airline’s app for gate/alert updates, allow extra time at the airport and keep carry-on bags to speed security.
Article Source: Reuters
