Air Traffic Controllers Go Unpaid, Flights Join Witness Protection
Get ready for the 2025 sequel to 'The Government Shutdown Saga' starring Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and a cast of unpaid air traffic controllers who will miss their first paycheck on October 28. Having barely survived a September-reduced paycheck, controllers now face choosing between paying bills or ghosting shifts, risking travel chaos. Duffy warns flights may cancel or delay because controllers might just 'hang on' for one missed paycheck but not two. Meanwhile, GOP blames Democrats for this financial hostage situation, while the White House shuffles money to pay soldiers and food aid despite protests over legality. Airports brace for a return to 2019-level chaos, only this time with less popcorn and more existential dread.
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Air traffic controllers skipping paychecks like itâs a new extreme sport. Flight delays, cancellations, and lawmakers passing blame like a hot potatoâ2025âs hottest drama isnât on Netflix, itâs at your local airport.
Nothing says "vacation plans cancelled" like air controllers deciding if going to work is a luxury. Watching government pass the buck while passengers watch their flights disappear is pure comedy gold.
Remember 2019's shutdown chaos? Well, buckle upâcontrollers miss paychecks starting Oct 28, so expect more airport drama than a reality show reunion episode with worse commercials.
Source: Axios | Published: 10/23/2025 | Author: Avery Lotz
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