Ground Delays at Houston Airports Escalate as Shutdown Enters Second Week
As the government shutdown continues to drag on, flights out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport in Houston are facing a new challenge: ground delays. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), staffing shortages are to blame for the disruptions.
With airport workers expected to work without pay during the shutdown, some experts warn that attendance rates may dwindle due to various personal reasons. "Federal employees who can't afford childcare or need an extra income might choose not to show up," said one ABC expert. This could lead to a shortage of personnel, forcing the FAA to implement ground stops.
These ground stops, which can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, are necessary when there aren't enough controllers to safely handle incoming planes. "If you don't have enough controllers to manage the air traffic, they won't allow it," said Sam Sweeney, ABC's transportation reporter. "And that's when a ground stop is put in place."
The situation has significant implications for travelers, particularly as the holiday flying season approaches. Some lawmakers are now pushing for a "clean continued resolution" - a bill to fund the government without policy changes. Airlines like United, American, Southwest, and Delta have expressed support for this approach.
With flights becoming more spread out due to staffing shortages, passengers can expect further delays at Houston's airports. The situation highlights the growing risks of prolonged shutdowns on air travel in the US.
As the government shutdown continues to drag on, flights out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport in Houston are facing a new challenge: ground delays. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), staffing shortages are to blame for the disruptions.
With airport workers expected to work without pay during the shutdown, some experts warn that attendance rates may dwindle due to various personal reasons. "Federal employees who can't afford childcare or need an extra income might choose not to show up," said one ABC expert. This could lead to a shortage of personnel, forcing the FAA to implement ground stops.
These ground stops, which can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, are necessary when there aren't enough controllers to safely handle incoming planes. "If you don't have enough controllers to manage the air traffic, they won't allow it," said Sam Sweeney, ABC's transportation reporter. "And that's when a ground stop is put in place."
The situation has significant implications for travelers, particularly as the holiday flying season approaches. Some lawmakers are now pushing for a "clean continued resolution" - a bill to fund the government without policy changes. Airlines like United, American, Southwest, and Delta have expressed support for this approach.
With flights becoming more spread out due to staffing shortages, passengers can expect further delays at Houston's airports. The situation highlights the growing risks of prolonged shutdowns on air travel in the US.
seriously though, this is super inconvenient for travelers especially with holiday season coming up. I guess when you can't afford childcare or need an extra income, work just isn't an option. Ground stops? Yeah that sounds like a real bummer, kinda like being stuck in traffic on the highway 
. Can we just get some resolution already?! This whole thing is stressing out everyone involved! 
Interesting how a government shutdown is affecting air traffic control 
. Ground delays are always stressful for travelers, and it seems like staffing shortages are making things worse... 
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. Airlines are already getting hit hard with delays, so this situation could get really messy. Passengers deserve better than being stuck on the ground for who-knows-how-long 
. Can't they find a way to fund the government without messing up air travel? 
staffing shrtages r causing grnd delys & flights are gettin rescheduled 
its not just a 1-2 hr delay tho, its bout hours ppl dont wanna work w/o pay during shutdown 
& thats when u got ur grnd stops 
like wut even is da point of these? just fund da gov already 
️! With holiday season approaching, it's gonna be a nightmare trying to get on flights 
. Airlines are all about that "clean continued resolution" 
. It's crazy how a gov shutdown can affect daily lives, like getting to see loved ones for the holidays 
. Fingers crossed everyone gets their flights sorted out soon 
!
... think about it, a "clean continued resolution" just means they're kicking the problem to another week/month/year without actually fixing anything 
. Airlines are already struggling due to supply chain issues and whatnot, so this shutdown is gonna push 'em over the edge. And don't even get me started on these staffing shortages - if people can't afford childcare or need that extra income, it's not their fault 
. Staffing shortages are no joke, especially when you're counting on air traffic controllers to keep flights safe. And now we gotta deal with more delayed flights and travel plans ruined? 
but hey atleast they're lookin into ways 2 make it work 
. And now with these ground stops coming in, flights are already getting delayed... it's not exactly ideal for travelers, especially during holiday season.
Can't just take someone's word for it.
. I'm not surprised that staffing shortages are at the root of this issue - who wouldn't want to show up to work without pay? 
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. The prospect of further delays and disruptions is just what travelers don't need right now 
. As the shutdown enters its second week, I can only hope that common sense prevails and some form of resolution is reached soon 
.
How can we expect them to show up when they're struggling? And now, flights getting pushed back even more because of it? Like, what's next?! 