Government shutdown Threatens Air Travel Safety: Controllers Face financial Strain
Washington D.C. – The ongoing government shutdown is escalating beyond budgetary concerns,now posing a direct threat to the safety of air travel. Nick Daniels, head of the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) union, warned tonight that the increasing financial strain on controllers is forcing consideration of reducing flight capacity to mitigate risk.
Speaking on “The Takeout,” Daniels explained that the ability of air traffic controllers to maintain peak performance – “100%, 100% of the time,” as he put it - is being compromised by the uncertainty adn hardship caused by working without pay. “They’re worried about putting gas in their car. They’re worried about putting food on the table. They can’t even pay for childcare in some instances,” Daniels stated. “As that risk increases, you have to begin reducing the capacity of the system and take down the number of flights in order to ensure the safety of it.”
The situation is becoming increasingly dire. Daniels revealed he is aware of at least one air traffic controller who has already been evicted from their apartment. Controllers have now received two consecutive paychecks totaling $0.00, with the previous paycheck before the shutdown being only partial, as it covered a period that ended after the shutdown began.
The emotional toll is also significant. Daniels described a growing sense of “anger… frustration, stress, fatigue, [and] their mental well-being” among union members. “They have to be ready to ensure the safety of the flying public,” he emphasized. “So, every day that this drags on, it’s introducing new problems because these are real people with real lives and every American can empathize with – If you don’t pay anybody, there’s going to be issues ahead.”
This development comes as the Senate GOP prepares for a key vote on Friday, perhaps impacting the trajectory of the shutdown. The pressure is mounting to reach a resolution not only to restore government functions but also to address the immediate and growing safety concerns within the nation’s air traffic control system.
Stay informed: This is a developing story. For live updates on the government shutdown and its impact, continue to check World Today News.
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