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.

  • trashcan@sh.itjust.works
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    1 day ago

    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
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      1 day ago

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

      • StrawberryPigtails@lemmy.sdf.org
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        1 day ago

        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.

        • njm1314@lemmy.world
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          14 hours ago

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

        • Tollana1234567@lemmy.today
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          1 day ago

          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.

            • Tollana1234567@lemmy.today
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              4 hours 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.

        • Fedizen@lemmy.world
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          23 hours ago

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

    • Tollana1234567@lemmy.today
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      1 day ago

      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
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        24 hours 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