Copyright Business Insider
The government shutdown means federal employees like air traffic controllers aren't getting their usual paychecks. But since they're critical to safety, they still have to turn up for work. As the shutdown persists into a second month, however, an increasing number of controllers are calling in sick. The government shutdown means federal employees like air traffic controllers aren't getting their usual paychecks. But since they're critical to safety, they still have to turn up for work. As the shutdown persists into a second month, however, an increasing number of controllers are calling in sick. The first signs of stress were evident six days into the shutdown. Hollywood Burbank Airport's air traffic control tower was unstaffed for hours on the evening of October 6. Flights could still take off and land as approach operations were handled remotely by a facility in San Diego. But for taxiing to and from the runway, pilots had to communicate among themselves. Over the ensuing weeks, it became more common for the FAA to institute ground stops or ground delays at several airports nationwide due to ATC staffing shortages.
