Flying today? The risk of distracted air traffic control in a political standoff

The Ole Seagull understands that air traffic controllers are considered “essential government employees” and, as such, are required to work even during a government shutdown. They must work without pay until the shutdown ends, and then, like most other government employees, they are entitled to back pay.

That’s the simple legalistic of it, but life is more than simply legalistic.

There is a reason they are considered essential government employees. They perform a vital function in the air transportation system, not only in its basic operation but also in protecting the lives and property of thousands of people traveling through the system at any one time. In addressing the actions of controllers during the government shutdown, the president of the National Air Traffic Control Association, Nick Daniels, said they have maintained their focus, composure and commitment to safety. Still, they’ve had to focus on childcare rather than traffic flows, and on food for their families rather than runway separation. And that’s the problem. The Ole Seagull’s personal experience as an FAA attorney causes Ole Seagull to believe it’s a job that is already incredibly stressful with no room for mistakes. A controller needs complete focus to safely guide dozens of airplanes through the sky and make the almost constant split-second decisions their job requires.

Concerns about how to pay the mortgage and cover bills, and about not knowing when the next paycheck will arrive, are a source of problems, worry and stress for all government workers who are not being paid. For air traffic controllers, who already operate under intense pressure, this added worry creates a constant, exhausting distraction that could prove fatal.On November 10, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

President Donald Trump, on his Truth Social website, said, among other things, “All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked.” For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the “Democrat Shutdown Hoax,” I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country. For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU. You didn’t step up to help the U.S.A. against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our Country. You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record. If you want to leave service in the near future, please do not hesitate to do so, with NO payment or severance of any kind! You will be quickly replaced by true Patriots, who will do a better job on the Brand New State of the Art Equipment, the best in the World, that we are in the process of ordering.”

An Ole Seagull has to wonder how this will impact air traffic controllers in terms of worry and stress. He knows well that some are capable of handling the additional worry and stress that the government shutdown adds to the incredible pressure they work under every day. Too, he knows that some cannot handle it, particularly for as long as it has gone on. To him, it’s better if those controllers stay away from the job until they feel they can handle it. However, that will be more difficult with the President’s Truth Social edict.

It’s pretty simple: if you or your loved ones were flying, would you want the air traffic controller handling the flight working because of the Presidential edict and fear of losing their job, even though they have distractions such as “childcare instead of traffic flows, food for their families instead of runway separation, etc.?” Hopefully, to most, that’s a rhetorical question.