During a recent NewsNation City Hall event, air traffic controllers expressed their struggles to lawmakers as the government shutdown stretches into its third week. One controller, identifying himself as Jack Chris from Dallas, Texas, shared that he has been with the Federal Aviation Administration for 16 years.
Chris recounted his experiences during previous shutdowns, saying, “I’ve been through the Obama shutdown and I’ve been through the Trump shutdown.” He then posed a question to the group, which included Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Ohio), Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), and former Sen. Joe Manchin. He wondered if this shutdown might linger longer than past ones due to the current political environment.
He went on to explain that he drives for DoorDash after his regular job simply to cover his daughter’s tuition. Khanna was quick to show empathy towards Chris’s situation, noting that it mirrors the challenges facing many federal employees who are either laid off or working without compensation.
“Thank you for being here. Thank you for making it clear that this is not a game,” Khanna responded, recalling a conversation with a mother of an Army service member who was concerned about affording groceries because of the financial uncertainty.
Over the weekend, President Trump had instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to tap into existing Pentagon funds to ensure troops were paid. Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the pressures faced by air traffic controllers but encouraged them to continue reporting for duty. He criticized those who did not show up, emphasizing that such absences lead to “massive disruption” and warned that uncommitted staff could be dismissed.
However, the pilots’ association raised concerns about the implications of requiring air traffic controllers to work without pay, suggesting it could compromise aviation safety. Captain Jason Ambrosi of the Airline Pilots Association remarked, “The job of keeping aviation safe is hard on the best of days, but forcing people to do it without pay undermines the safety and security of the entire system.”
He stressed that aviation safety stands at a critical juncture and that leadership should prioritize infrastructure and staffing improvements. Currently, airports like Hollywood Burbank in California, Denver International, and Newark Liberty in New Jersey are facing delays linked to the ongoing federal shutdown.
