Flights to LAX were temporarily halted Sunday as the FAA cited a shortage of air traffic controllers linked to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The Federal Aviation Administration said flights departing for Los Angeles International Airport were halted Sunday morning due to a staffing shortage at a Southern California air traffic facility.
The FAA issued a temporary ground stop at one of the world’s busiest airports soon after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted that travelers would see more flights delayed and canceled in the coming days as the nation’s air traffic controllers work without pay during the federal government shutdown.
During an appearance on the Fox News program “Sunday Morning Futures,” Duffy said more controllers were calling in sick as money worries compound the stress of an already challenging job.
Flights to Los Angeles International Airport being halted because of an air traffic controller shortage isn’t surprising — LAX is one of the busiest airports in the world, and even small staffing gaps can cause major delays. If you want real-time updates, you can check the arrivals and Departure board here: LAX Flight Live Updates
What did these morons think was going to happen? That people working for free was going to be sustainable?
I’m amazed that they didn’t all put down their mics the moment they didn’t get paid.
And keep in mind: The orange turd already promised people would not get any back pays.
A few different reasons from what I’ve gathered lurking around various communities. Full disclosure: I’m not in the aviation industry, just someone with an interest.
- Controllers are extremely professional almost to a fault. If they walk that puts more strain on an already strained system which endangers the public
- Related to this, the public is still generally on their side or at least sympathetic to the situation. If they strike and there’s an incident, they will be blamed. the admin would love for this to happen. They’re already trying to turn public sentiment against them (see comments by the transportation secretary about starting salaries which are demonstrably false).
- Their current union is not in favor of any work action
- They are already being threatened with firing if they strike under the guise of sick leave
- For most of them, this isn’t their first shutdown
- The controllers that’ll feel the pinch first are those working at smaller, less busy facilities. One or more of these shutting down completely won’t impact much.
Again this is just my observation. Anyone with more insider knowledge feel free to correct me.
Who would blame ATC for an incident? It would obviously, clearly be the fault of the Republicans that refuse to staff the government. ATC are not slaves.
Yup. To you or I it’s blatantly obvious that the system is at the breaking point and there have been numerous close calls. The public that isn’t fully captured doesn’t have a strong opinion on the subject except that air travel is a PITA.
Remember that press conference after the DCA mid-air earlier this year?
