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.

  • 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.