Flights to LAX were temporarily halted Sunday as the FAA cited a shortage of air traffic controllers linked to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The Federal Aviation Administration said flights departing for Los Angeles International Airport were halted Sunday morning due to a staffing shortage at a Southern California air traffic facility.

The FAA issued a temporary ground stop at one of the world’s busiest airports soon after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted that travelers would see more flights delayed and canceled in the coming days as the nation’s air traffic controllers work without pay during the federal government shutdown.

During an appearance on the Fox News program “Sunday Morning Futures,” Duffy said more controllers were calling in sick as money worries compound the stress of an already challenging job.

  • CharlesDarwin@lemmy.worldEnglish
    66·
    18 hours ago

    What did these morons think was going to happen? That people working for free was going to be sustainable?

    • Treczoks@lemmy.world
      56·
      18 hours ago

      I’m amazed that they didn’t all put down their mics the moment they didn’t get paid.

      And keep in mind: The orange turd already promised people would not get any back pays.

      • arrow74@lemmy.zip
        10·
        10 hours ago

        The orange turd already promised people would not get any back pays.

        Well no he didn’t. He stated that about furloughed employees. The ones not going to work. The ones working are entitled to backpay paycheck.

        Additionally, and as always, he’s talking about things he doesn’t really understand. Federal backpay for furloughed workers was codified into law. Meaning they’d have to pass a budget with a line specifying that furloughed federal works won’t get paid and nullifying the previous law. That would be quite a bad move for most congressional representatives. Almost a garuntee to lose a lot of votes.

        • callouscomic@lemmy.zip
          6·
          9 hours ago

          Even better. It was codified into law BY HIM and repubs.

          It would also be the first time in history since the budget is done this way (since the 70s).

      • primehunter326@lemmy.world
        29·
        17 hours ago

        A few different reasons from what I’ve gathered lurking around various communities. Full disclosure: I’m not in the aviation industry, just someone with an interest.

        • Controllers are extremely professional almost to a fault. If they walk that puts more strain on an already strained system which endangers the public
        • Related to this, the public is still generally on their side or at least sympathetic to the situation. If they strike and there’s an incident, they will be blamed. the admin would love for this to happen. They’re already trying to turn public sentiment against them (see comments by the transportation secretary about starting salaries which are demonstrably false).
        • Their current union is not in favor of any work action
        • They are already being threatened with firing if they strike under the guise of sick leave
        • For most of them, this isn’t their first shutdown
        • The controllers that’ll feel the pinch first are those working at smaller, less busy facilities. One or more of these shutting down completely won’t impact much.

        Again this is just my observation. Anyone with more insider knowledge feel free to correct me.

      • henfredemars@infosec.pubEnglish
        141·
        17 hours ago

        I believe they’re legally forbidden from striking and have to be careful it isn’t seen as such.