HEADLINES: 2026
- Thread starter sear
- Start date
Not a prideful boast, but disgraceful confession:
in this Trump II era of perpetual crises the thought that wafted through my early AM mind was:
That's bad news, BUT ! at least these are people Trump didn't kill.
But Trump is overseeing the most recent Trump administration government shutdown.
And this current shutdown has affected our airport workers. Right? Including air traffic control (ATC) ?
Is this yet another one with bread crumbs that lead to #1600 Penn. Ave.?
G' morning world.
Shiftless2
Well-known member
A partial government shutdown beginning in early 2026 has caused significant disruptions to U.S. air traffic control, with federal employees, including air traffic controllers and TSA officers, working without pay. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has cut flight capacity by 10% at 40 major airports due to severe staffing shortages, raising serious safety concerns for the National Airspace System (NAS).
Federal Aviation Administration (.gov) +2Key Impacts of the 2026 Shutdown on Air Travel:
- Safety & Staffing: Air traffic controllers are working without pay, with many already working mandatory overtime (ten hours a day, six days a week) before the shutdown.
- Flight Reductions: A 10% reduction in flight capacity has been implemented at 40 major U.S. locations starting around Feb 2026.
- Longer Security Lines:
TSA employees have experienced high call-out rates, with significant staffing shortages reported at major airports like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.- Shutdown Duration Impact: As of mid-March 2026, the shutdown is putting extreme strain on the system, with calls to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) increasing, according to White House officials.
- Industry Strain: The NATCA is calling for immediate funding, emphasizing that the shutdown is affecting 10 million aviation-related jobs.
NATCA +4
- Shutdowns Threaten Safety: The NATCA has stated that the shutdown is detrimental to the safety and efficiency of the NAS.
- Financial Disruption: The previous 43-day shutdown had an economic impact of $7 billion, according to Airlines For America.
- Potential Airport Closures: A top TSA official warned that smaller airports may face closure due to increased staffing shortages, according to a report by ABC10.
Airlines for America +4
Above from Google search
"Nobody knows the system better than me." "Which is why I alone can fix it." presidential candidate Trump 16/07/21 from the campaign podium
That's reassuring Mr. President.
When do you plan to begin? After you've begun to serve your third term perhaps?
You have to wonder why the fire truck asked for permission to cross the runway?
Runways are not that long, so it is not that hard to circumnavigate instead of crossing.
And since the firetruck would not be monitoring the traffic frequencies, they would sort of be blind to landings.
Someone in the tower must have goofed, but I still would not have tried to cross myself.
Runways are not that long, so it is not that hard to circumnavigate instead of crossing.
And since the firetruck would not be monitoring the traffic frequencies, they would sort of be blind to landings.
Someone in the tower must have goofed, but I still would not have tried to cross myself.
Shiftless2
Well-known member
No question that someone in the tower goofed - after all the firetruck had been given permission to cross the runway which should have meant that it was clear.