Overview

• On day six of the shutdown, Sean Duffy joined NATCA president Nick Daniels and FAA ATO COO Frank Macintosh at Newark to report a slight rise in controller sick calls and occasional traffic-slowing to preserve safety.
• Roughly 13,000 FAA air traffic controllers and about 50,000 TSA officers are designated essential and are working without pay with back pay promised once funding is restored.
• USA TODAY reported normal checkpoint lines at many airports and few cancellations over the weekend, though TSA cautioned longer waits become more likely as the funding lapse persists.
• NATCA urged controllers to remain on duty and warned that job actions are illegal and could lead to removal from federal service.
• FAA and industry officials said a prolonged lapse could force slower traffic flows and delay hiring and training, and travel outlets advised Orlando-bound families to prepare for longer security lines.