The United States government shutdown has entered its third week, leaving more than 60,000 aviation safety employees without pay and raising serious concerns about the impact on the nation’s air travel system.
These employees, who include air-traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) staff, are among those who continue to work without pay to keep the skies safe.
Their dedication has kept airports running, but frustration and financial strain are growing as no resolution appears in sight.
Workers across the country have started to dip into savings, take out loans, or look for part-time jobs to stay afloat.
Without a funding agreement soon, many could face deeper financial hardship, threatening the stability of America’s aviation system.
A TSA officer at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, identified only as M. for fear of retaliation, said he has been forced to take drastic measures to survive.
“The loan will be for car payments and to pay for the new apartment because I can no longer afford the current one because of everything that’s going on,” he told The Daily National News.
M. said morale among his colleagues is collapsing as bills pile up and uncertainty drags on.
Many TSA officers and air-traffic controllers have already missed their full paychecks for October, with some reporting missing wages from as early as mid-month.
At the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the airport authority has begun preparing to help its unpaid workers.
According to spokesperson John Welbes, the authority plans to reopen a food shelf stocked with nonperishable goods for affected employees, similar to what was done during the 2018-2019 shutdown.
“If the shutdown stretches into November, we are considering offering boxed lunches to workers,” Welbes said. “It’s not a solution, but it’s something.”
The previous government shutdown, which lasted 35 days in 2019, severely strained the aviation industry.
During that period, widespread absences among air-traffic controllers and TSA officers caused flight delays and extended wait times at security checkpoints across the country.
New York’s air traffic was slowed down significantly, pressuring lawmakers to resolve the impasse to prevent nationwide chaos.
Industry experts warn that a repeat of that scenario is likely if this shutdown continues much longer.
Airports rely on full staffing levels to maintain safety, efficiency, and passenger flow. Any increase in absences could quickly disrupt schedules and delay flights.
Union leaders representing aviation employees have urged Congress to pass a funding bill immediately to prevent long-term damage to the aviation infrastructure.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said its members are “reaching a breaking point,” warning that safety could be compromised if fatigue and financial stress persist.
The TSA has reported a rise in sick calls as employees struggle to afford transportation and childcare without pay.
Analysts warn that if absenteeism spikes further, it could force temporary closures of airport checkpoints or flight cancellations.
Aviation industry observers note that many employees live paycheck to paycheck, making them especially vulnerable to prolonged shutdowns.
“People think of federal workers as well-paid, but a lot of TSA and FAA employees are not in that category,” said one aviation analyst. “They cannot go weeks without income.”
Financial institutions in several states are stepping in to offer short-term relief. Some credit unions that serve government workers have announced interest-free loans for affected employees.
Still, those measures offer only temporary relief for families facing rent, mortgage, and utility bills.
The Biden administration has called on Congress to reach a deal to reopen the government, warning that the shutdown is jeopardizing national security and the economy.
For now, aviation workers continue to show up to work, ensuring safety despite uncertainty over when they will next be paid.
But as one controller in Atlanta told The Daily National News, patience is wearing thin. “We’re proud to serve,” he said, “but we can’t keep doing it for free.”
