‘Pressure Is Real’: ATCs Prepare for $0 Paycheck

Per Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, staffing has accounted for more than the typical 5 percent of air travel delays in October.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at 07:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Jack Daleo

The Transportation Department warned that it may have to close sections of U.S. airspace due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. [Courtesy: iStock/JasonDoiy]

Key Takeaways:

Air traffic controllers (ATCs) are working without pay due to the 28-day government shutdown, causing severe financial hardship and extreme stress for an already overburdened workforce.
The lack of pay is exacerbating an existing national ATC staffing shortage, leading to a significant increase in flight delays (up to 44-53% due to staffing issues) and raising concerns about air travel reliability.
The financial strain and uncertainty are jeopardizing the future pipeline of ATCs, with trainees "bailing" and experienced controllers considering leaving, threatening to deepen long-term staffing shortages.

See a mistake? Contact us.

The country’s already overburdened workforce of about 13,000 air traffic controllers (ATCs) is preparing for its first $0 paychecks since the federal government shut down 28 days ago.

Speaking at LaGuardia Airport (KLGA) on Tuesday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reissued his call for ATCs to show up for work after earlier this month threatening to fire those who call out sick.