Duffy warns air journey delays ‘only going to get worse’ amid shutdown

[craig nigrelli]

LONG LINES, PACKED TERMINALS, AND FLIGHT BOARDS FILLED WITH DELAYS.

THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ARE SPREADING THROUGH AMERICA’S AIRPORTS.

WITH AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS NOW MISSING MORE THAN A MONTH OF PAY, THE SYSTEM IS STRAINING UNDER THE PRESSURE.

AT MAJOR HUBS — FROM LOS ANGELES TO DALLAS — STAFFING SHORTAGES ARE FORCING GROUND HOLDS AND SLOWER DEPARTURES.

AND IT’S LIKELY JUST THE BEGINNING.

“I think the real consequence is what kind of rolling delays do you have throughout the system right? We’ve seen problems at LAX, in Dallas, in DC, Boston, Atlanta. I think it’s only going to get worse. We have some controllers who are new controllers. We have trainee controllers who are very helpful in the tower. They don’t make a lot of money. And they’re now confronted.. They haven’t had a paycheck in over a month. They’re confronted with the decision to I put on my kids’ table, do I put gas in the car, do I pay my rent, or do I go to work and not get paid.”

TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR SEAN DUFFY SAYS THE GOVERNMENT WILL HALT TRAFFIC ONLY IF SAFETY BECOMES AN ISSUE — BUT UNTIL THEN, TRAVELERS SHOULD EXPECT MORE SLOWDOWNS AND CANCELLATIONS.

THE SHUTDOWN, NOW IN ITS FIFTH WEEK — WITH NO SIGN OF RELIEF — AS HOLIDAY TRAVEL SEASON FAST APPROACHES.