U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Thursday raised concerns about air traffic controllers taking on second jobs to pay their bills during the government shutdown.
The transportation secretary discouraged air traffic controllers from seeking additional employment on top of an already demanding, high-stress job.
“Well, I don’t want my air traffic controllers to take a second job — I want them to do one job.
Johnson said that 19,000 flights were delayed across the U.S. from Saturday to Monday, citing data from flight tracking website FlightAware.
Duffy explained that sporadic air traffic controller staffing shortages could lead to flight delays and cancellations, with the department deliberately slowing down flight traffic to ensure that passengers remain safe.
U. S. . Concerns regarding air traffic controllers taking on second jobs to cover their expenses during the government shutdown were brought up by Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Thursday.
At the House GOP’s press conference at the Capitol, Duffy stated, “If you have a controller who works six days a week, but has to think about, ‘How am I going to pay the mortgage, how am I going to make the car payment, how am I going to put food on my kids’ table,’ they have to make choices.”. And they are choosing to take a second job as one of their options. “,”.
U was followed by Duffy’s statement. S. House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized that air traffic controllers, who are vital government workers who must work unpaid during the funding lapse, are putting in long hours in towers and centers before “hopping in a car and driving for Uber or delivering for DoorDash all night.”. “.
The secretary of transportation dissuaded air traffic controllers from looking for extra work on top of their already taxing and stressful job.
“I want my air traffic controllers to work just one job; I don’t want them to take on two jobs. I do not want them to drive for Uber or deliver for DoorDash. As he acknowledged the financial strain they face to “put food on their table, feed their kids, and support their family members,” Duffy stated, “I want them coming to their facilities, and controlling the air space.”. “.
As the second-longest government shutdown in U.S. history, Duffy added that he “can’t guarantee” that passengers’ flights will depart on time or won’t be canceled. S. History drags on.
According to Johnson, 19,000 flights in the United States were delayed. A. from Saturday through Monday, using information from FlightAware, a website that tracks flights. The same time frame saw the cancellation of 1,600 more flights.
The department purposefully slows down flight traffic to ensure passenger safety, but intermittent shortages of air traffic controllers could result in flight delays and cancellations, according to Duffy.
Duffy stated, “It’s not about moving as many flights as possible, it’s about moving as many flights as possible safely.”. You will witness the flights descending if we are unable to accomplish that. You will observe the cancellations and the delays. “,”.
