this post was submitted on 26 Oct 2025

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429

US airports report over 20 air traffic controller shortage incidents in one day (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world

33 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Transportation secretary says figure is ‘one of the highest we’ve seen’ since 1 October as shutdown drags on

US airports have reported more than 20 incidents of air traffic controller shortages on Saturday, said Sean Duffy, transportation secretary, in the latest sign of the government shutdown’s impact.

Through the shutdown of the federal government, around 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers must work without pay during the shutdown.

The FAA is around 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels, which had many to work mandatory overtime and six-day weeks before the shutdown began.

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[–] can@sh.itjust.works 77 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Air traffic controllers received a paycheck two weeks ago at around 90% of their regular pay, but Tuesday will mark their first fully unpaid pay period for work in October.

Duffy noted air traffic controllers have been taking on second jobs to try to supplement the lost income.

“They’re taking second jobs, they’re out there looking,” he said.

The FAA is around 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels, which had many to work mandatory overtime and six-day weeks before the shutdown began.

This can't end well for anyone.

[–] JasonDJ@lemmy.zip 49 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Airport workers should strike. That'll settle the whole thing right quick. Bring us back to September 12 2001.

[–] petrichornetrainfall@piefed.social 25 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Ronald Reagan had something to say about that. I'd quote him but I don't want 10% tariffs added to all my comments.

[–] Fedizen@lemmy.world 10 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Ronald Reagon cracked down on air traffic controllers. If the whole airport goes on strike it will cancel flights. Or even if pilots and flight crews start a strike.

[–] Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works 14 points 2 weeks ago

Pilots should strike because it's simply unsafe.

[–] StrawberryPigtails@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Screw striking. Waste of time when the government will just call it an illegal strike.

When the bullshit outpaces the pay, walk away. Find another job.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

i suspect alot of the ATC are stuck in the job, are likely unable to find a job equal to that pay. many of them arnt Young and are nearing retirement.

[–] athatet@lemmy.zip 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I bet they can find somewhere paying them more than nothing tho.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

true, i heard international atc are sought after. probably australia or some eu country? its a niche enough specialty because of its shortage and competitive hiring, they need it elsewhere.

[–] njm1314@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Governments have a habit of calling strikes illegal. You do them anyway because they work.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

threaten to quit, which isnt a strike, or take leave of absense indefnitely.

[–] Fedizen@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

Coud also fill out an FMLA to take care of a family member or something and take an excused leave.

[–] pennomi@lemmy.world 26 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I hope it shocks the people awake. They’re too complacent right now.

[–] Cheems@lemmy.world 17 points 2 weeks ago

I'm not convinced the zombies will ever come back from the dead

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

from what im reading on reddit, most of the current ATC are nearing retirement, leftover from REAGAN administration when he replaced them all. its extremely hard to get an ATC job from what ive heard, you have mandatory retirement at 55, probably wont attract much people if you are going to retire that early. also entry into the job is very competitive too.

[–] ToastedRavioli@midwest.social 5 points 2 weeks ago

Entry into the job isnt that competitive considering they are down thousands of needed ATCs.

The difficulty getting into the job is that the education is extremely difficult, and a significant number of people fail ATC school. Which is how it should be, as we cant compromise on that point.

If someone is able to pass the education, however, they certainly have their pick of the litter on where they want to go from there

[–] frunch@lemmy.world 42 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

Won't a billionaire step in and pay them for the meantime? You know, like Timothy Mellon paid $130 million to keep the troops happy the other day (since the gov refuses to pass a budget without thoroughly fucking over the American public by doubling their healthcare costs)

[–] SoloCritical@lemmy.world 15 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

That’s technically illegal, not that it matters anymore ig.

[–] frunch@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago

Legality really is a thing of the past, at least for those in power. There's no accountability for them, no checks to their authority...so they might as well be considered kings/dictators at this point

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 14 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

that 130mil isnt even covering that much for troops, only a small 100$ one time thing, while it cost hundreds of billions a month.

[–] Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 weeks ago

I wonder how long it would take to redistribute the wealth if the Billionaires funded the government.

[–] Halcyon@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 2 weeks ago

They already paid for Trump's ballroom, so that has to be enough.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

130 million isnt even enough for the troops consider how much they cost a month, its like several billion in a month.

[–] Spacehooks@reddthat.com 12 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

Is there any repercussions to them if they just quit and come back when money is on the table?

[–] ayyy@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 weeks ago

That would probably reset their pension clock. Which is especially problematic for ATC because they have a hard retirement age of 50 or something like that.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 3 points 1 week ago

they would probably lose thier benefits, pto acrrual, wage raises,,,etc. since they cant strike which they could demand that they can come back with all benefits restored and other amenities,

[–] Ironfist79@lemmy.world 9 points 2 weeks ago

People are going to die...

[–] marine_mustang@sh.itjust.works 8 points 2 weeks ago

Luckily, I chose to fly to Tijuana tomorrow and cross the border on foot rather than fly into San Diego.

[–] WanderWisley@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

Suddenly without warning the planes stop flying! 🫲🍊🫱

[–] Bluefalcon@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

"Hey should we pay them? No, let them eat cake?"

A few moments later....

"What do you mean you have vacation and sick leave?"

[–] frankiehollywood@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

20 does not seem like much…

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

consider how competitive is to become an ATC, i think would have a huge effect. Also the shortage that has been there for decades hasnt gone away.

[–] FordBeeblebrox@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Towers are staffed on a shoestring budget with wildly constrictive time off rules, and levels have never come back up to pre Reagan. Every missing controller makes a big ripple in a small pond