While most national staff have been sent on free leave, air traffic controllers are considered essential and gotta work without pay during the closure, although outstanding remuneration is guaranteed.However, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy confirmed that since the beginning of the closure the number of inspectors applying for medical release has increased.The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), which represents 20,000 air traffic controllers, has reported that it is cooperating with the FAA to mitigate disturbances in the National Sky System."It is average for respective air traffic controllers to study for medical release on a given day, and this is another example of the fragility of our air strategy in the face of a national shortage of these key safety professionals" said NATCA in a message on Monday."NATCA consistently warns that the deficiency of control staff puts the strategy at risk, and today's events item the urgent request to accelerate training and recruitment" She added.The message warns that the closure of the government is an unnecessary burden on the already overloaded workforce.It was recalled that while closing in 2019, many controllers were forced to take extra work to pay the bills, leading to considerable stress and fatigue.The closure besides has an impact on Essential Air Service, a program financing flights to smaller airports," he added, informing that its backing might run out.During the 35-day government closure in 2019, during president Donald Trump's word of office, a sharp increase in the abstinence of controllers and TSA officers led to an extended waiting time at checkpoints and forced authorities to slow down air traffic, especially in fresh York City, expanding force on legislators to end the deadlock.Airports in Denver, Newark and Burbank were among those most affected by the handicaps earlier this week.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/626073-us-flights-delay-shutdown/
