Overview
- Thousands of flights were canceled and thousands more delayed over the Nov. 7–9 period as the FAA limited operations at major hubs.
- The FAA initiated phased reductions at 40 of the busiest airports, with initial cuts around 4% and reporting indicating deeper limits are possible if staffing worsens.
- Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson posted videos of crowded terminals and said his private jet was not cleared for takeoff, highlighting that private flyers are also affected.
- Airlines trimmed schedules in response, with reports citing roughly 220 daily cancellations at American, 168 at United, and nearly 100 at Southwest.
- The ongoing shutdown that began Oct. 1 has left controllers unpaid and has fueled absences, which officials cite as the safety reason for the flight caps.