Paul Rinaldi spent 16 years controlling air traffic at Washington Dulles Tower before accepting the reins at the National Air Traffic Controllers Association in late 2009. At a National Press Club luncheon last week, he reflected on the effects of the 35-day partial government shutdown that peaked for the aviation industry on January 25 when the FAA announced delays at LaGuardia and a few surrounding enroute centers.
NATCA President Offers an Insider View of the Shutdown
Key Takeaways:
- The 35-day government shutdown deeply impacted air traffic controllers financially and psychologically, forcing many to work unpaid and make extreme choices to support their families, while also costing the U.S. economy billions.
- The shutdown compromised aviation safety by halting risk assessment programs and new controller training, and threatens future operations due to potential mass retirements of demoralized controllers.
- NATCA advocates for air traffic control (ATC) reform, emphasizing a stable and predictable funding stream independent of political disputes to prevent future shutdowns from jeopardizing the National Airspace System (NAS).
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