Air traffic controllers receive $0 paychecks as government shutdown stretches

For fourth straight week, feds on unpaid leave as government shutdown drags on.

Air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration employees are facing a bleak reality - their first paycheck is zero. The workers are expected to report for duty despite receiving no paychecks. In fact, nearly 11,000 air traffic controllers have been left without a dime, amounting to two weeks of unpaid labor.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that skipping another paycheck could be "financially catastrophic" for employees. He said that many experienced workers like himself have planned for days like this and won't be severely affected. However, he emphasized that the situation worsens with each passing day.

The impact on flight operations is already being felt, as delays have become increasingly common due to staffing shortages. The Federal Aviation Administration reported more than 3,000 flights delayed within, into, or out of US airspace, along with 132 cancellations.

Union leaders paint a stark picture of the dire financial situation facing essential workers. President Nick Daniels revealed that air traffic controllers risk losing their families' lives if they cannot afford medical treatment. "They're worried about paying for medicine for their daughter," he said.

Some airlines have taken steps to alleviate the suffering, including providing meals for unpaid federal workers. United Airlines has been feeding employees at its hubs, while Delta and JetBlue have pledged to offer food as well.

However, not everyone has taken kindly to these measures. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association's president also expressed concerns about the impact of side gigs on air traffic controllers' work-life balance. "They should never work a side job...that they should never get off a night shift and then go wait tables," he said.

As the government shutdown shows no signs of ending, feds are facing an uncertain future - with their livelihoods hanging in the balance.

Man, can't believe what's happening to those air traffic controllers... Their lives are literally on hold because they're not getting paid 11,000+ workers without a dime for two weeks is crazy! I feel for them, you know? They're risking their families' health over unpaid labor, it's just not right And now some airlines are stepping in to help, but like, shouldn't the government be doing its part? [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/federa...ir-traffic-contollers-shutdown-no-paychecks/)

[Image of a person holding an empty wallet, looking worried ]

[Air traffic controller with a "zero paycheck" stamp on it ]

[Flight delay GIF flying to the ground ]

[Fed employee trying to explain the situation while having no money ]

[Image of United Airlines plane with a banner saying "Food for Fed Employees" ]

[A person doing math with an empty bank account, looks worried ]

[Air traffic controller taking care of their daughter's medical bill ]

This is super messed up! I mean, can you imagine not getting paid for two weeks straight? It's like a never-ending nightmare for these air traffic controllers and TSA employees. They're already dealing with delays and cancellations, but now they have to worry about their families' health and well-being too . Some airlines are trying to help, but it's just not enough. The government needs to figure out how to get this mess sorted ASAP!

I'm literally living for these unpaid air traffic controllers ... like two weeks without a paycheck is already a huge deal, can you imagine having to pay bills and stuff? It's not just about the money tho, it's also about having to worry about their families' health, especially with medical treatment . The fact that some airlines are trying to help by providing meals is super cool, but I feel bad for those who aren't getting any assistance . And honestly, side gigs? Not the answer... they need a real solution ASAP

I feel really bad for those air traffic controllers who are going through this, it's like they're being asked to put their lives on hold... 11,000 of them are without a paycheck, that's crazy! And it's not just about the money, the union leaders are saying that if these workers can't afford medical treatment for their families, it could be life-threatening. I get why airlines are trying to help out by providing meals and whatnot, but I think they're also right to point out that side gigs can mess with people's work-life balance...

Ugh, this is so stressful for those air traffic controllers ! I mean, can you even imagine not having any money for two whole weeks? It's like something out of a movie, you know? Like that one scene from "The Hunger Games" where Katniss is struggling to survive in the arena... it's kinda like that, but real life . And with flights getting delayed and cancelled left and right, I feel bad for all those passengers who are stuck in airports. Airlines trying to help by providing meals is a good start tho , maybe some gov't should step up too

I'm literally shook by this news. I mean, can you imagine not getting paid for two weeks straight? It's like, what even is that? Air traffic controllers are already under so much pressure, and now they're facing financial hardship on top of it. This is some real-world drama, fam!

I gotta give props to United Airlines for stepping up with food for the feds, tho. That's some good corporate social responsibility right there . And I feel for Delta and JetBlue for showing they care too .

But, like, what's going on with these side gig concerns? Can't we just have a little bit of flexibility? It's not like it's gonna kill anyone to get some extra cash or try something new.

This shutdown is literally taking a toll on people's lives, and it's so important for politicians to get their act together . I mean, we need our air traffic controllers and TSA folks back on the job ASAP . Can't we just have some stability for once?

I'm so worried about these air traffic controllers ! They're literally risking their families' lives because they can't afford medical treatment . It's not just about the pay, it's about the stability and security they need to provide for their loved ones . I mean, who expects a government shutdown to affect people like this? The fact that some airlines are trying to help is nice, but it's not enough . We need a better solution than just throwing some food at them . And what about the psychological toll of all this uncertainty? It's not good for anyone's mental health . I hope the government can figure out a way to end this shutdown soon and get these workers their paychecks ASAP .