Duffy: Next ATC Paycheck Will Be ‘Big Fat Zero’

Transportation Secretary urges air traffic controllers to continue showing up for work and blames Democrats for prolonging the government shutdown.

Jack Daleo

Friday, October 24, 2025 at 04:07 PM ET

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Jack Daleo

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy delivers remarks at Philadelphia International Airport (KPHL) on Friday. [Courtesy: USDOT live stream]

Key Takeaways:

The ongoing government shutdown is forcing over 13,000 air traffic controllers to work without pay, leading to severe financial stress, ATCs taking second jobs, and creating "unacceptable" and "increasingly unsafe" working conditions.
The shutdown has significantly increased flight delays, with staffing issues accounting for up to 53% of delays, and jeopardizes the FAA's efforts to hire new controllers as academy students face payment issues.
Crucial FAA modernization plans, including a $31.5 billion initiative to upgrade air traffic control systems, are stalled due to the furloughing of thousands of essential safety, engineering, and support personnel.

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If the U.S. government remains shut down through Tuesday, more than 13,000 air traffic controllers (ATCs) will receive a “big fat zero” on their next paycheck, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Friday.

Addressing the shutdown in remarks at Philadelphia International Airport (KPHL), Duffy said controllers received a partial paycheck earlier this month and have been notified that their next could be $0.