Air traffic controller Jack Criss is now clearing takeoffs and takeout orders. The single dad took on a side gig as a DoorDash delivery driver during the second-longest government shutdown in modern history in order to make some extra cash and cover his daughter’s high school tuition.

For the past few weeks, air traffic controllers have been receiving partial pay – but next week, they’re expected to miss their first full paychecks as the funding lapse continues.

“It’s been incredibly difficult. You can feel the tension, and it’s heavy…and it hurts,” Criss said in an interview that aired on “CBS Saturday Mornings.”

As the government shutdown rolls into Day 25, Congress remains unable to strike a deal. The Senate failed to advance measuresThursday that would pay federal employees like Criss.

    • Tollana1234567@lemmy.today
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      2 hours ago

      and we never recovered to pre-reagan ATC levels too. i think we still have remenents of the atc from reagan still working right now,.

    • MinFapper@startrek.website
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      9 hours ago

      Eh, the world is a lot more dependent on air travel than we were in the 80s. I don’t think Trump will be able to do the same

      • Tollana1234567@lemmy.today
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        2 hours ago

        theres also less atc willing to apply than before, plus its competitive too, so even less than that makes it through the application stage. they also have medical condition restrictions too, so not everyone that can be an ATC will be able to, which distills it further down.

    • RagingRobot@lemmy.world
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      13 hours ago

      That doesn’t stop them from doing it again. Striking always carries the risk of being fired