By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The current government shutdown is creating significant hardship for air traffic controllers, compounding the already high-stress nature of their jobs, as they are required to work without pay. This uncertainty has led to increased anxiety, reduced staffing, and shorter breaks, making it difficult to maintain focus and safety. Many controllers are facing financial struggles, taking on additional jobs to make ends meet and are worried about covering basic expenses. The author calls on political leaders to negotiate and find a resolution, emphasizing the need for federal employees to be paid and for the government to function effectively.
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I’m an air traffic controller, working without pay in my third shutdown. It’s a reality that hits harder each time. It’s not just a delay in a paycheck; it’s a gut punch to morale, a test of financial stability, and a deep, simmering frustration. The system feels broken when the very people ensuring the safety of air travel are treated like this. It’s a job that demands focus, expertise, and unwavering attention, and yet, here we are, facing this situation again.
Working without pay makes you feel less like a valued professional and more like a volunteer, or worse. The government, continuing to collect taxes, seemingly has an inexcusable reason to not pay its workers. It’s a basic principle: you work, you get paid. Essential worker is a misnomer in this context. It’s a stark reminder of the government’s priorities. The repeated cycles of shutdown and the inevitable back pay are not an adequate replacement for a consistent, reliable income.
The impact of this situation is wide-ranging. It goes beyond the immediate financial strain and hits the core of what it means to be a professional. The fact that this individual has witnessed this three times is shocking. It must be tempting to seek opportunities elsewhere. It also raises serious questions about the long-term consequences of this instability on the quality and dedication of air traffic controllers. Why recommend this job to the next generation?
Considering the inherent stress, the responsibility for human lives, and the constant need for precision, it’s not hard to see why some might consider drastic action. If the government isn’t a reliable employer, it will start to cost taxpayers more in the long run. There are serious implications for the future, including a loss of quality candidates. The thought of this being a deliberate strategy for privatization, where federal work becomes so undesirable that it’s handed over to private businesses, is disheartening.
It’s a failure of the US Congress. The current situation seems set to set a new record. The suggestion of mass sick days or a general strike, while disruptive, underscores the depth of the frustration. Those working without pay are undeniably entitled to back pay, but that isn’t the point, it is about respecting those who are essential. Disruption to society often brings change.
The safety concerns raised are valid and concerning. If flying gets dangerously stupid, then the question of shutting down becomes very real. I can imagine the level of stress this puts on ATC, and the frustration associated with performing these tasks without pay is understandable.
The government’s continued failure to negotiate a budget is a sign of a failed system. People should not have to face this situation. The reliance on norms of governmental conduct has failed, and now there is only a political cudgel. It’s time for the government to find solutions.