As delays and cancellations continue to color the departures boards at the DMV’s three major airports, air traffic controllers now have had two paychecks delivered worth $0.
The loss of pay led to a message from the head of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) about the mental state of its members.
“Now they must focus on child care instead of traffic flows, food for their families instead of runway separation,” said Nick Daniels of NATCA. “This is not politics. This is not ideology. This is the erosion of the safety margin the flying public never sees but America relies on every single day.”
With hopes of the shutdown ending, many are wondering about back pay for air traffic controllers. After the 2019 government shutdown, now the second-longest in U.S. history, NATCA says it took months to get all the back pay squared away.
Meanwhile, on Truth Social Monday, President Donald Trump posted a strongly worded message that reads, in part: “All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked.’ For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the ‘Democrat Shutdown Hoax,’ I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country.”
Airlines already are planning for more cancellations well into this week.
One piece of advice for those who have to fly: Try to get the first flight of the day, because that flight has less of a chance of getting canceled.
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