Air traffic controllers are still reeling from Trump’s shutdown
Key Points
- 1Only 7% of US air traffic controllers and technicians received a $10,000 "perfect attendance" bonus following the 43-day Trump administration shutdown.
- 2Major US unions, including NATCA and PASS, condemned the exclusion of thousands of controllers who worked unpaid, citing morale damage and safety concerns.
- 3The US FAA confirmed payments for the 776 recipients by December 9, while thousands who endured financial hardship and took second jobs received nothing.
- 4The decision risks exacerbating existing US air traffic controller shortages and deepening frustration within a critical, stretched-thin profession.
Thousands of US air traffic controllers and technicians, who worked without pay during the Trump administration's 43-day government shutdown, are reeling from a highly selective bonus distribution. Only 776 individuals, approximately 7% of the 11,000 controllers and technicians, will receive a $10,000 "perfect attendance" award. This decision by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ignited widespread criticism from major labor unions and US congressional representatives, who argue that all personnel who maintained the safety and efficiency of the US national airspace system during the crisis deserve recognition.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) and the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) union have vocally condemned the exclusion of the vast majority of their members. Despite enduring unpaid work, threats from federal officials, and punishing schedules, thousands of controllers were forced to take on second jobs, driving for ride-share services or delivering food, to make ends meet. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's characterization of the bonuses as a "Santa moment" has further inflamed sentiment among the unrewarded workforce, highlighting a significant disconnect between official rhetoric and the reality faced by frontline aviation personnel.
The FAA confirmed that payments for the selected 776 employees would be disbursed no later than December 9. However, the broader implications for the US civil aviation industry are significant. The US FAA has long grappled with a persistent shortage of air traffic controllers, a problem exacerbated by the shutdown. This latest move risks severely damaging morale within a profession already under immense pressure, routinely working 10-hour shifts to manage the nation's complex airspace. The decision could deepen existing frustrations and potentially hinder future recruitment and retention efforts critical for maintaining the safety and operational integrity of US commercial air travel.
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