Air traffic controllers go unpaid

The first paycheck missed by federal workers was Oct. 24. Meaning, this Friday will be the second paycheck missed after the federal government shut down Oct. 1.

It doesn’t matter which political party you love — Republican or Democrat — this borders on insanity. Forget the “bordering” part. It is insane.

Even crazier if some of the federal employees work a job so stressful that the mandatory retirement age is 56.

Even airline pilots can work until age 65, but not the people on the ground helping to keep the planes from flying into one another.

Back in August 1981, when nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers went on strike, and President Reagan fired them after declaring their strike illegal, giving them 48 hours to report back to work, the friendly skies weren’t nearly as congested as they are today.

I was still flying charters for a living at the time and teaching students how to fly out of the Brownsville Airport.

In the skies aloft, it was still smooth sailing, even flying into busy airports like Houston Hobby or Dallas Love.

The air traffic supervisors, who weren’t members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO), who never went on strike, stepped up to the plate, and air operations continued.

What I remember most from those days was how respectful pilots were toward the supervisors. We knew they were under a lot of stress, and yet, it was hard to tell that anything had changed.

At least they were getting paid though.

News Getting Worse

If you’re following the national news at all these days, you’ve already heard about the long delays caused by controllers not reporting to work. Instead, they’re off working side hustles like driving for Uber, Lyft, anything to pay their bills and put bread on the table.

Here’s a story published by Reuters Monday, Nov. 3rd: “US flight delays spike as air traffic controller absences increase.”

Easily accessible online as are the many other stories written in the same vein.

From the Associated Press dated Nov. 2: “Flight delays persist as government shutdown leads to air traffic controller shortages.”

This isn’t “fake news.” It’s news that can have catastrophic consequences if something isn’t done soon to rectify the problem.

From the same AP story:

“George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Chicago O’Hare were also seeing dozens of delays and one or two cancellations, along with major airports in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver and Miami, according to FlightAware.”

Serious news in a serious business that has no room for error.

The FAA said last Friday on X that nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers have been working without pay for weeks.

Weeks. How much stress is that adding to their lives?

A missed mortgage payment, car payment, there goes the credit score.

But do show up to work tomorrow and work a job so stressful that the mandatory retirement age is 56, simply because of the burnout rate due to the hypervigilance required of controllers working busy airport hubs.

God forbid there’s an accident in the air, two Boeing 777s collide, because the controller’s attention is displaced – how to pay the grocery bill.

Then you’ll see the federal government react.

Question is, why does it always take a terrible tragedy to fix a problem?

Also, why are FBI agents getting a paycheck, when the air traffic controllers are not?

Which job is more stressful?

Sitting at a desk working up a case on white-collar crime, or keeping airplanes and their passengers safe?

Meanwhile, let’s go play another round of golf. Throw another party. Tear down the entire White House and build a castle. Sic ICE agents on some more day workers at the Home Depot parking lot.

Disgusting as the day is long.

I’m not going to suggest people not board a plane. Personally speaking, though, I’m going to drive if I have to go anywhere that requires some distance.

At least until the two political parties can get their act together.

Sorry I quit drinking.