Air traffic controllers faced either President Donald Trump‘s wrath or gratitude on Monday, depending on their actions during the government shutdown.
Trump said any air traffic controllers who have stayed on during the shutdown will be commended and recommended to receive a $10,000 bonus, while those who have taken time off will receive a “negative mark, at least in my mind,” against their records.
“For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the ‘Democrat Shutdown Hoax,’ I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU,” he added.
He said the air traffic controllers who left haven’t helped the United States “against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our Country.”
“You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record,” he added, noting they should not “hesitate” to leave but will not receive severance pay.
Air traffic controllers are among the many government employees who have not been paid during the government shutdown, which appears to be coming to a close. Senate Democrats took the first step in a series of procedural hurdles Sunday toward reopening the government.
Because of the lack of pay for air traffic controllers, many airports have seen flight delays and cancellations due to an air traffic controller shortage. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told CNN that he believes air travel will slow to a “trickle” in the weeks before Thanksgiving.
“Many of them are not going to be able to get on an airplane, because there are not going to be that many flights that fly if this thing doesn’t open back up,” Duffy said. He added that the Federal Aviation Administration is short 1,000 to 2,000 air traffic controllers, and many more of them are retiring each day than before the shutdown.
Trump called for air traffic controllers to return to work, even though the shutdown is not over, and government employees, alongside others, remain without pay. The funding legislation will need to be approved by the House and signed by the president before the government can fully reopen.
He noted that his administration is in the process of ordering new equipment for air traffic controllers to replace the “antiquated junk” used during the Biden administration.
“Again, to our great American Patriots, GOD BLESS YOU – I won’t be able to send your money fast enough! To all others, REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY,” Trump concluded.
Airlines have pressed the administration to pass the Senate bill. American Airlines said for 40 days, “federal aviation workers haven’t been paid and our customers have endured thousands of delays and cancellations due to the government shutdown.”
Many airlines have had to reduce flights to accommodate the air traffic controller shortage, as directed by the FAA. An air traffic controller told the Washington Examiner that the move was “performative.”
The air traffic controller said that, even leading up to the shutdown, their schedules were not healthy.
“It’s just not sustainable,” he said. “You finish one shift, go home, maybe see your kids for an hour, try to sleep, and then turn around for a midnight shift.”
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS WARN FLIGHT CUTS WON’T EASE SHUTDOWN STRAIN OR PREVENT RISK
He added that the shutdown has made air travel less safe. Another air traffic controller said that, for many, maintaining pace during the shutdown has been challenging.
“You can only lean on patriotism for so long before reality hits; people have bills to pay,” he said.
