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Air traffic controllers and ongoing federal shutdown
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has called for an end to the government shutdown as their members miss their first full paycheck on Tuesday. Controllers made their voices heard at airports across the country including at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
ATLANTA - The government shutdown has reached its 28th day and air traffic controllers just missed their first full paycheck today.
Air traffic controllers hand out flyers at Atlanta airport
What we know:
At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) spent Tuesday handing out flyers to travelers, explaining how the lack of pay is impacting their daily lives.
SEE ALSO: Georgia Head Start programs secured by 45-day emergency bridge loan amid shutdown
Air traffic controllers feeling strain
What they're saying:
Many controllers said they are now struggling to cover mortgage and car payments and some have even taken second jobs to make ends meet.
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Air traffic controllers miss first full paycheck
Several air traffic controllers passed out flyers at the world's busiest airport to show the impact the government shutdown is having on them.
"Today I just want them to take away some information about how the shutdown is affecting us personally here in Atlanta," said union member Maximilian Crawford. "As your Atlanta-based air traffic controllers, as well as their help to reach out to the local elected officials and to have them and to shut down air traffic controllers do not start the shutdown, we're not responsible for ending the shutdown. We're just stuck in the middle."
Air traffic controller union push for deal
Dig deeper:
Union representatives said the situation is compounding an existing staffing shortage, which began before the shutdown. Despite the strain, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy assured the public that flying remains safe, noting that if any control towers experience staffing issues, operations will slow down to maintain safety — a measure that could cause flight delays and cancellations.
SEE ALSO: Georgia SNAP benefits to pause amid shutdown | What users must know now
The American Federation of Government Employees, representing about 800,000 workers, is now urging the Senate to pass a funding deal to reopen the government.
Delays at Atlanta's airport
Local perspective:
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also issued an advisory this morning about staffing levels at the Atlanta Terminal Radar Approach Control Center in Peachtree City, which manages aircraft approaching and departing the Atlanta airport.
As of this morning, there were about 70 flight delays and 10 cancellations at Hartsfield-Jackson.
The Source: This is a FOX 5 original report from Kim Leoffler. Kim spoke with union representatives and looked at airport travel data.