President Donald Trump threatened to cut the pay for air traffic controllers who called in sick during the government shutdown as an additional 2,300 US flights were cancelled on Monday.
After Trump slammed absent aviation workers as unpatriotic, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association labor union praised members who were working without pay as “unsung heroes” in a statement urging Congress to end the closure quickly.
“Enough is enough,” the union stated.
The back-and-forth illustrates the increasing strain on the aviation industry as the record-breaking shutdown enters day 41, yet a compromise bill progressing in Congress raises optimism for a settlement this week.
The air traffic control system was already under strain before the shutdown owing to understaffing, and it is expected to see an increase in passengers over the forthcoming Thanksgiving holiday travel season.
Aside from Monday’s 2,300 cancellations, more than 8,700 flights involving US airports were delayed, according to the website FlightAware. According to the flight tracker, carriers have already canceled 1,100 flights scheduled for Tuesday.
Last week, the Trump administration ordered 10% reductions in flights at dozens of airports, including some of the nation’s busiest, citing “staffing triggers.”
On Monday, Trump used social media to threaten that controllers who do not return to work “will be substantially ‘docked.'”
“All air traffic controllers must return to work immediately!!!” he urged on his Truth Social platform.
Trump claimed he was considering a $10,000 incentive for the “GREAT PATRIOTS” who did not take time off during the shutdown.
His comment was issued shortly after the air traffic controller union’s news conference ended, coinciding with its members’ second consecutive zero-dollar salary.
Union president Nick Daniels called for an emerging accord in Congress as a “right step in the right direction.”
“Air traffic controllers should not be the political pawn during a government shutdown,” said Daniels, who has spoken in increasingly dire terms since federal funding first lapsed on October 1.
Following Trump’s social media threat, the NATCA released a statement saying controllers “deserve our praise.”
“This nation’s air traffic controllers have been working without pay for over 40 days,” the union said.
“The vast majority of these highly trained and skilled professionals continue to perform one of the most stressful and demanding jobs in the world, despite not being compensated. Many are working six-day weeks and ten-hour days without any pay.”
Democratic Congressman Rick Larsen called Trump’s remarks “nuts.”
“The women and men working long hours in air traffic control towers to keep the aviation system running deserve our thanks and appreciation, not unhinged attacks on their patriotism,” said the Democrat from Washington state.
Hours later, in a phone interview with Fox News, Trump reiterated his commitment to the bonuses while admitting he had no idea where the money would come from.
“I don’t know. I’ll get it from someplace… I always get the money from someplace,” the billionaire president said. “Regardless, it doesn’t matter.”
On Monday, enough Democrats in the US Senate joined Republicans to support a package to finance the government until January, raising hopes for a resolution to the country’s longest closure in history.
However, Daniels stated that following a lengthy shutdown in 2019, it took two and a half months for all controllers to collect back compensation.
Meanwhile, “January 30 will loom around the corner,” he said, referring to the uncertainty about what would happen once the next spending bill expires.
Daniels was joined at the ceremony by Amy Lark, who works at a Virginia air traffic facility.
Her family is forced to make do with only one paycheck because Lark’s husband also works for the agency.
“Yesterday, my kids asked me how long we could stay in our house. Having to answer that question was heartbreaking,” said Lark.
The cutbacks are also compelling travelers to adapt.
“It’s a little crazy this morning,” said Jack Nicks at Miami International Airport, adding he double-checked to make sure his flight would be ready for takeoff.
“I have other friends who are flying today. They’ve already had three flight changes. So it’s a little rough.”
