Air traffic controller staffing shortages worsened over the weekend as the nation’s government shutdown hit its fourth week, leading to delays and anxiety, and experts say it won’t get better until air traffic controllers get paid.

More than 50 staffing shortages have been reported since Friday morning, causing delays from Los Angeles to Washington, DC, according to an operations update. Controllers are considered essential workers, so they must work during the shutdown, but are not being paid.

Flights for Los Angeles International Airport were temporarily halted Sunday because of a staffing shortage at the Southern California TRACON, which handles flights arriving or departing. At Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, staffing issues caused a ground delay Sunday that was expected to last until midnight.

    • LordMayor@piefed.social
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      9 hours ago

      They made it illegal for them to strike under Reagan. Their strikes were way too effective for the powers that be. So, now, they call in sick until it hurts.

      • Clent@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        8 hours ago

        call in sick until it hurts.

        This is how a country wide worker strike needs to be planned and executed.

        America is collectively some mental illiness that is definitely protected by fmla.

        What does the world look like when we all call in with explosive diarrhea on Dec 10th?

      • ThePantser@sh.itjust.works
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        8 hours ago

        And what will they do if they all strike? Arrest them all? They will still be without ATCs and planes will still be grounded. If the president Cheeto can break every law fuck it and just strike. They don’t have to call it a strike just don’t go in.

      • Know_not_Scotty_does@lemmy.world
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        9 hours ago

        It’s a shame how contagious this bug is. It will likely get everyone before the shutdown ends. I wish them all the best in their health, they should take as long as they need to rest and recover.