Posted on 10/28/2025 6:53:30 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
More controllers are now calling in sick and some are working second jobs to make ends meet, according to union officials.
As air traffic controllers miss their first full paycheck, more are calling in sick and some are working second jobs to make ends meet, according to union officials. (Scripps News)
Air traffic controllers are missing their first full paycheck on Tuesday due to the government shutdown.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, which represents those workers, is sharing the stories of those workers in an effort to push lawmakers to reopen the government.
The president of the union says the added stress can compromise controllers' ability to do their job safely.
"Every single day that this goes on, tomorrow is now less safe than today," said National Air Traffic Controllers Association president Nick Daniels. "Because we're supposed to go to work and be 100%, 100% of the time. I'm going to work right now and I'm thinking about 'how do I pay my rent? Rent's due in a few days. How do I put food on the table? How do I put gas in my car just to show up to work?'"
More controllers are now calling in sick.
Some are working second jobs to make ends meet, according to union officials.
In one case, a control facility had 11 of 25 workers call in sick, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
"What that means for the American people is that means more delays. That means more cancellations," Duffy said.
On Tuesday, the FAA reported staffing shortages impacting airports in Atlanta and Denver.
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Chris Dane is a travel expert. He says travelers should consider the time of day they fly to avoid potential headaches.
"Be patient. It is not the people involved that..."
(Excerpt) Read more at scrippsnews.com ...
Maybe the Schumer Shutdown is being done to destroy the flying industry that the doomsday cult Dims say is causing global warmageddon.
From google AI
“The median annual salary for air traffic controllers is $144,580, according to May 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The actual amount can vary significantly, with factors like location, experience ...”
These are not low skilled jobs like postal workers. These employees make decent salaries and have the means to set aside money for events like this as well as their future retirements.
Here’s a thought....gather up the ATCs that were put out of a job & turn them loose on Schumer, Jeffries, other possible Democrats.
Union dues! Pay ‘em a stipend your damn selves, unions.
Why don’t the airlines pay them for a while?
“...Why don’t the airlines pay them for a while?...”
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Why don’t the airlines pay them all the time?
Sorry, but I have no answer for that question.
Perhaps it's because they aren't their employees.
Perhaps.
Everything is relative. You make more money you have more expenses. Your mortgage is bigger, your bills are bigger, your property taxes are more. Depending on what metro area these air traffic controllers are working in $144,000 is not a lot of money.
Question for Air Force folks...
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I went to church with a guy in the Air Force who said that after he got out,
his civilian equivalent was Air Traffic Controller,
even though his military job was the exact opposite:
His military job was to advise and direct our guys to merge with the bad guys.
Does any one know what that job specialty is?
Lockheed needs a contract to automate ATC.
Only have air traffic controllers checking the systems and dealing with the out of the ordinary situation.
This is where a computer shows its strength. No feelings, faster, no attitude, accent, doesn’t tire, doesn’t miss a nights sleep or have a fight with the girlfriend, doesn’t miss remember things or mix up numbers etc.
Replace them.
Maybe,
Combat Controller.
https://www.airforce.com/careers/special-warfare-and-combat-support/special-warfare/combat-control
Has the Union asked the Democrats to sign the CR yet ?
Vehicle crash tester? Car, meet obstacle.
$145,000 and they are out of funds after the loss of one paycheck?
“You make more money you have more expenses. “
I know what you mean. But that’s not always the case. I lived below my means, saved and was able to take an early retirement.
Everyone’s situation is different. But those ATC’s should be able to survive a few months without pay. In fact most people should be able to do that.
The airspace can be closed except for airliners and cargo jets.
The ATC union take:
Their “resources” page:
https://www.natca.org/2025/10/16/financial-and-wellness-resources-for-natca-members/
“More controllers are now calling in sick.”
wire fraud
“no cash, no work”
100% legal
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