Air Traffic Controllers Get Pizza, But No Paychecks

A week into the U.S. government shutdown, staffing at air traffic control has become precarious at several airports. At least one tower was temporarily unstaffed, and others were operating with reduced headcounts as air traffic controllers, who are currently working without pay, called in sick. The controller staffing shortage has slowed the system nationwide, leading to flight delays and cancellations.

Staffing Frays At U.S. Control Towers

As the Los Angeles Times reported, on Monday, October 6, Hollywood Burbank Airport’s control tower was unstaffed for more than five hours due to staffing shortages tied to the shutdown. The Southern California TRACON in San Diego handled airborne traffic, and pilots coordinated movements on the ground. Still, the shortage resulted in lengthy delays and some flight cancellations.

The strain was not confined to Southern California. The Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Traffic Control Command Center continues to issue advisories of ground stops, delays and possible route closures. Airports are impacted from coast to coast, from San Francisco to Boston.

Duffy Makes A Pizza Run To Newark Tower

As The Hill reported, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy made a symbolic visit to controllers on Monday, delivering pizzas to a tower crew at Newark Liberty International Airport. Duffy drew attention to the added stress controllers face going unpaid during the shutdown.

“They’re not wealthy, they don’t have three or four or five months of cash sitting in their bank accounts,” he said. “Like many of us, they go from one paycheck to the next, and they rely on that to pay the bills.”

Duffy confirmed the U.S. airspace remains safe, but said the lack of funding places “great stress on our system at a time when we’re trying to reduce the stress.”

“Slight Tick Up” In Controller Sick Calls, USDOT Secretary Says

Secretary Duffy also acknowledged that the Department of Transportation has seen “a slight tick up in sick calls” among air traffic controllers since the shutdown began.

He emphasized that safety would dictate further reductions in traffic flow if absences increase.

“You’ll see delays come from that,” Duffy said to the press gathered at Newark. “Our priorities are safety, and so if we have additional calls, we will reduce the flow consistent with a rate that’s safe for the American people.”

Controllers Union Urges Members To Keep Working

While acknowledging mounting pressure on unpaid workers, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has directed its members to continue reporting for duty. An alert on its website addresses the government shutdown and increase in sick calls, warning members against participating in any job action, which would be illegal and could result in their dismissal.

“NATCA does not endorse, support, or condone any federal employees participating in or endorsing a coordinated activity that negatively affects the capacity of the NAS, or any other activities that undermine the professional image and reputation of the people we represent. Air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals take their responsibility to protect the safety of the flying public very seriously,” the union states.

“At this critical juncture, it is more important than ever that we rise to the occasion and continue delivering the consistent, high-level of public service we provide every day. We must also recognize that in the current political climate, federal employees are under heightened scrutiny. We cannot stress enough that it is essential to avoid any actions that could reflect poorly on you, our Union, or our professions.”

In 1981, nearly 13,000 Air Traffic Controllers, then members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO), went on strike after failed contract talks with the FAA. President Ronald Reagan branded the strike as illegal and fired over 11,000 Air Traffic Controllers who refused to comply with the mandate to return to work within 48 hours.

The current increase in controllers taking sick leave may be stress related and not a deliberate labor action. But, as NPR has pointed out, the month-long 2018–2019 government shutdown came to an end in part due to a slight increase in air traffic controller sick leave. The resulting staff shortage led to significant flight disruptions on the East Coast.

“As we have seen over the past 35 days, the pressures and strains of a shutdown are not sustainable; the disruptions to passengers, commerce and the economy are not tolerable,” Airlines for America President and CEO, Nicholas Calio, said in a statement issued in 2019. “We urge elected leaders to continue working together to identify a solution that will keep the government open…and will continue paying the dedicated federal employees.”

Government Shutdown Risks Delays In Catching Up To Controller Staffing Shortages

The controllers’ union also notes the impact of the government shutdown on the FAA’s efforts to address a long-standing staffing shortage of 3,500 fully certified controllers.

“NATCA strongly supports Transportation Secretary Duffy’s comprehensive plan to ‘supercharge’ controller hiring to begin alleviating the 3,800 shortfall of fully certified controllers and ensure that the system is staffed with the best and brightest air traffic controllers,” the union states. “NATCA also strongly supports Secretary Duffy’s vision for modernizing the air traffic control system. A shutdown suspends these vital hiring and training efforts and delays this critical modernization work.”

On his X (formerly Twitter) social media account, Duffy has consistently pushed for a deal that would restore funding before delays and cancellations worsen again.