Record Government Shutdown Leaves Thousands of Air Traffic Controllers Scrambling for Pay.
When the government shut down last year for 43 days, it brought air traffic controllers to a grinding halt. Despite their dedication to keeping the skies safe during the record-long shutdown, many controllers were forced to resort to side jobs just to make ends meet.
A whopping 10,000 air traffic controllers worked without pay, with some facing financial ruin due to childcare costs or lack of transportation. As a result, delays plagued airports across the country, with flights being cut at 40 busy airports.
In an attempt to recognize their dedication, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded $10,000 bonuses to only 776 air traffic controllers who had perfect attendance throughout the shutdown. However, critics argue that this is woefully inadequate, as thousands of controllers were excluded from the recognition program.
"This is wrong; every single one of these hardworking women and men deserves a bonus and back pay," said Democratic Rep. Rick Larsen, the ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) union echoed Larsen's sentiments, stating that it hopes to work with FAA officials to find a way to recognize all air traffic controllers who worked during the shutdown.
President Donald Trump initially suggested that controllers who missed work should have their pay docked, but this plan was met with criticism from lawmakers and industry experts. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy defended the bonuses, saying they acknowledged the dedication of controllers who kept the flying public safe throughout the shutdown.
Despite the controversy surrounding the bonuses, it's clear that air traffic controllers played a vital role in keeping America moving during the shutdown. As the FAA continues to work on boosting controller hiring and training programs, it remains to be seen whether more generous recognition for these hardworking professionals will follow.
When the government shut down last year for 43 days, it brought air traffic controllers to a grinding halt. Despite their dedication to keeping the skies safe during the record-long shutdown, many controllers were forced to resort to side jobs just to make ends meet.
A whopping 10,000 air traffic controllers worked without pay, with some facing financial ruin due to childcare costs or lack of transportation. As a result, delays plagued airports across the country, with flights being cut at 40 busy airports.
In an attempt to recognize their dedication, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded $10,000 bonuses to only 776 air traffic controllers who had perfect attendance throughout the shutdown. However, critics argue that this is woefully inadequate, as thousands of controllers were excluded from the recognition program.
"This is wrong; every single one of these hardworking women and men deserves a bonus and back pay," said Democratic Rep. Rick Larsen, the ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) union echoed Larsen's sentiments, stating that it hopes to work with FAA officials to find a way to recognize all air traffic controllers who worked during the shutdown.
President Donald Trump initially suggested that controllers who missed work should have their pay docked, but this plan was met with criticism from lawmakers and industry experts. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy defended the bonuses, saying they acknowledged the dedication of controllers who kept the flying public safe throughout the shutdown.
Despite the controversy surrounding the bonuses, it's clear that air traffic controllers played a vital role in keeping America moving during the shutdown. As the FAA continues to work on boosting controller hiring and training programs, it remains to be seen whether more generous recognition for these hardworking professionals will follow.
it's not about being perfect, it's about showing up and keeping the skies safe. and dont even get me started on the side jobs thing some ppl are literally living paycheck to paycheck because of this 
we need to do better for our air traffic controllers, like a real raise or something 
I'm fumin' about this! 776 controllers get $10k bonus while 10k+ are left with nothin? That's not recognition, that's a slap in the face 
. These people were workin' their butt off keepin' the skies safe during that shutdown, and now they're lucky to get a measly $10k after the fact? It's like they're expectin' 'em to just forget about it 
. And what about all the side jobs they had to take because of the lack of pay? That's not right! We should be payin' these folks for keepin' our skies safe, not makin' 'em scramble 
.
the way they treated those air traffic controllers is straight up unacceptable! like who do they think they are? they're literally risking their lives every day to keep our skies safe 
and yet they get a measly 10k bonus for even showing up on time?! 
and we saw a squirrel storing nuts in its cheeks like they're carrying shopping bags 
. It's wild how animals are so prepared for life, right? Like, who needs benefits when you can just collect nuts all summer? Anyway, back to air traffic controllers... have you ever seen the videos of them working during those long shutdowns? They were literally keeping our skies safe with no pay 
. I guess it's not like they're getting a raise or something, but still... 10k might be cute for some people, though 
.
this is insane! They left 10k air traffic controllers without pay for 43 days?! 
can you even imagine having to scramble for a side job just because of politics? It's disgusting that they only gave bonuses to like 776 people who actually showed up on time. That's still woefully inadequate if you ask me 
it's crazy that politicians like Rick Larsen even have to speak out about this issue, but I'm glad he is 
I mean, think about it... 10,000 air traffic controllers left without pay? That's like, a lot of people who could've been paying their bills on time... or even having some savings. And now they're just scrambling to get by with side jobs? 
. I mean, yeah, the pilots and passengers are safe 'cause of them, but what about their own well-being? some of these guys were even having to take side jobs just to make ends meet 
I'm all for recognizing their dedication, but $10k bonuses to just 776 people is not enough! 
The FAA needs to step up its game and show some love to these dedicated workers. Plus, can't we just have a universal basic income for essential services like air traffic control? 