Last week, the ongoing federal shutdown officially became the longest government shutdown in history—the predicament is affecting not just federal benefit programs, but also air travel. Currently, 40 airports across the country are facing staffing cuts and flight restrictions.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers are considered essential government employees. Therefore, during a government shutdown, they are obligated to come to work—but without pay. In protest, many workers call in sick, causing a shortage of air traffic controllers and security staff.
“It’s terrible that air traffic controllers and TSA agents aren’t being paid. I totally understand why they’re calling in sick,” an anonymous international commercial pilot said. “If they have a way to make $500 doing something else, they’re going to call in sick and go make $500 so they actually have some cash. Not having a paycheck for 4 weeks, 6 weeks or even 8 weeks is very stressful.”
On Nov. 7, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cut approximately 10% of flights from each of these airports with the goal of “alleviating the pressure” on the air traffic control system.
Preserving safety was the main concern that prompted the flight cuts. However, some say that reducing the number of flights just leads to added stress.
“There’s a lot of people that are very anxious about flying anyway. Adding [flight cuts] to it just ratchets up [that] anxiety,” the international commercial pilot said. “The more we increase the anxiety of people showing up at the airport, the worse the behavior is going to be through security. Then, sitting on an airplane, waiting to take off, [people] are going to be yelling at the flight attendants or another passenger because everybody is so anxious and stressed.”
Flight cuts introduce safety concerns due to short notice scheduling changes.
“We are trying to do everything we can to get [passengers home] safely. We’re not going to do things to compromise safety,” the anonymous international commercial pilot said. “But cutting and canceling flights at the last minute is very turbulent for the passengers.”
As the holiday season approaches, the FAA warns that the effects of these flight reductions will linger even after the government is up and running again, which could impact upcoming holiday travel plans.
“If you cut out the supply, the price is just going to go up on the tickets,” the international commercial pilot said. “[That] is heartbreaking considering the U.S. holidays are coming up.”
Among the airports facing cuts are Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) and BWI Baltimore/Washington International (BWI). In fact, the Washington D.C metropolitan area is expected to be the hardest hit of all regions because it contains three airports. Sophomore Jimin Lee experienced significant delays at DCA on her way home from Miami.
“Our flight kept getting pushed back—first by an hour, then by 30 minutes. Then, every ten minutes it got delayed again, until we [finally] left at 10:30 pm,” Lee said.
Most passengers and employees think the flight cancellations are a misstep by the government.
“If [cutting flights] is what [the FAA] would like to do to create more chaos, then that’s what they’re going to do,” the anonymous international commercial pilot said. “[But] there’s no reason for it.”
