Why Unpaid Air Traffic Controllers Are Driving Uber and DoorDash Right Now

Key Concepts

• Government Shutdown
• Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs)
• TSA Workers
• Flight Delays
• Ground Stops
• Ground Delays
• Staffing Triggers
• Back Pay
• Travel Insurance
• Aviation Safety
• FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)
• Department of Transportation
• Department of Homeland Security

Air Traffic Controllers Facing First Unpaid Paycheck Amidst Government Shutdown

This report details the immediate and escalating impact of the government shutdown on air traffic controllers (ATCs) and the broader air travel system in the United States. Senior editor Maggie McGrath of Forbes interviews staff writer Suzanne Rowan Keller, who covers travel and transportation, to discuss the critical situation.

1. The Paycheck Crisis for Air Traffic Controllers

• Missed First Full Paycheck: Air traffic controllers were set to miss their first full paycheck on Tuesday, October 28th, due to the ongoing government shutdown.
• Payment Lag Explained: ATCs are paid bi-weekly. They received a partial paycheck on October 14th for work performed before the shutdown began on October 1st. The October 28th paycheck is the first to reflect zero earnings due to the shutdown.
• Financial Strain: This lack of immediate income creates significant financial pressure, forcing ATCs to seek alternative income sources like driving for Uber or DoorDash on their days off to cover essential expenses such as mortgages and childcare.
• Debt and Back Pay Complications: In previous shutdowns, ATCs incurred debt despite eventual back pay. While they are made whole when the shutdown ends and receive back pay, this lump sum is often taxed at a higher rate, and the interim financial hardship remains a significant stressor.

2. Impact on Air Travel Operations

• Pre-existing Staffing Shortages: Even before the shutdown, ATCs were already working under immense pressure due to a significant shortage. They were working 10-hour days, six days a week, with only four days off per month.
• Fatigued Workforce: The shutdown exacerbates this existing fatigue and stress, leading to a "stretched thin" workforce.
• Increased Sick Calls: A direct consequence of the financial and emotional stress is an increase in ATCs calling in sick. Transportation Secretary Shawn Duffy confirmed this trend, stating, "more people calling in sick, more people not showing up for work."
• Staffing Triggers and Mitigation: The FAA utilizes "staffing triggers" to identify insufficient personnel levels at facilities. While some situations can be mitigated, others lead to operational adjustments.
• Ground Delays: When staffing levels become critically low, the FAA implements "ground delays." This process involves significantly slowing down air traffic in and out of an airport to manage the flow and maintain safe separation between aircraft. This means planes are held at their departure airports, leading to extended travel times.
• Ground Stops: If ground delays are insufficient to manage the situation, "ground stops" are implemented, which completely halt air traffic into and out of an airport.
• Real-World Example: A flight from Texas to New York, which should have taken two hours, reportedly became a nine-hour ordeal due to delays.

3. Comparison: TSA vs. Air Traffic Controllers

• Agency Differences: While both TSA workers and ATCs are federal employees affected by the shutdown, they belong to different agencies. TSA is under Homeland Security, while ATCs are under the FAA, part of the Department of Transportation.
• Impact of Sick Calls:
  • TSA Workers: When TSA workers call in sick, it leads to longer lines at airport security checkpoints, causing congestion within the airport. It does not directly delay flights.
  • Air Traffic Controllers: When ATCs call in sick, it directly results in flight delays and potential ground stops because the capacity to manage air traffic is reduced.

4. Major Airports Affected and Knock-on Effects

• Busiest Hubs Impacted: The shutdown is disproportionately affecting the largest and busiest airports in the country. Examples include:
  • Atlanta: 800 flights delayed.
  • Denver: The fourth busiest airport.
  • LAX: The fifth busiest airport, experiencing ground stops.
  • Philadelphia TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control): A facility overseeing Newark, experiencing a staffing trigger.
• Knock-on Effects: Delays at major hubs have a cascading effect on the entire air travel network, as these airports are common layover points. A delay at a hub can disrupt an entire day's travel plans for passengers with connecting flights.

5. Historical Precedent and Political Pressure

• 2018-2019 Shutdown: The current situation mirrors the 2018-2019 government shutdown, where ATCs and TSA workers also missed paychecks, leading to significant disruptions.
• Past Resolution Trigger: In the previous shutdown, a day where 10 ATCs called in sick, causing ground stops along the East Coast, reportedly prompted a political resolution.
• Current Political Climate: There is no indication that the current situation is creating similar political pressure to end the shutdown. Efforts to pass legislation to pay federal workers, including ATCs, have reportedly been walked back by Republicans.
• Long-Term Shutdown Concerns: There are concerns that the shutdown could extend through Thanksgiving, which would have severe economic consequences, including an estimated $1 billion per week loss in tourism revenue.

6. Impact on Future Air Traffic Controller Recruitment

• FAA Concerns: The FAA is reportedly concerned that the shutdown will deter potential recruits from entering the air traffic control profession.
• Training Pipeline Disruption: Instructors at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City are not being paid, impacting the training of new ATCs. Cadets receive a stipend that is set to expire soon.
• Long Training Period: It takes three to four years to train a certified air traffic controller. The current situation could lead to individuals dropping out of the pipeline, representing a loss of investment.
• Recruitment Challenges: The stressful nature of the job, combined with the current lack of pay and the memory of past shutdowns, makes it difficult to attract talent. The job requires a specific temperament, often described as being able to handle multiple stimuli calmly, similar to gamers or short-order cooks.

7. Advice for Travelers

• Safety: Flying remains safe, as the FAA will implement ground stops before allowing unsafe conditions.
• Hassle and Delays: Travelers should expect significant hassle, including longer security lines and potential flight delays.
• Arrive Early: Advised to arrive at the airport "way earlier than you were planning on it."
• Monitor Alerts: Watch for alerts from airlines.
• Consider Alternatives: For those with upcoming travel, consider driving or other modes of transportation if feasible, as they might be faster than flying.
• Travel Insurance: For those with pre-booked flights, consider travel insurance or the possibility of postponing the trip.
• Fly Early Morning: Flights scheduled for early morning are generally less likely to be delayed or canceled compared to later flights.
• Patience and Preparation: Be prepared for extended waits at the airport, potentially half a day or an entire day.

8. Conclusion and Key Takeaways

The government shutdown has created a critical situation for air traffic controllers, leading to financial hardship and increased stress on an already fatigued workforce. This directly translates into disruptions in air travel, with flight delays and ground stops becoming increasingly common, particularly at major airports. The situation highlights the vulnerability of essential services when federal workers are caught in political impasses. Travelers are advised to prepare for significant disruptions, and the long-term impact on the recruitment of future air traffic controllers remains a serious concern. The report emphasizes the unjust nature of the situation, where essential workers are unpaid while politicians remain on the payroll.