FAA Cuts Flights: Your Safety vs. Congress's Shutdown Games
So, the FAA cuts flights by 10% because essential workers aren't getting paid during a government shutdown. Air traffic controllers, suddenly deemed 'critical' enough to work without pay, are understandably calling out sick. This means your travel plans are delayed for 'safety' – a concept Congress only seems to grasp when it affects air travel, not, say, when approving billions in unchecked aid
to foreign conflicts while domestic services crumble. Recall the 2018-2019 shutdown: Air traffic controller absenteeism nearly brought the system to its knees then, too. Apparently, lessons learned are easily forgotten when there’s a new round of arms deals to push through. One might wonder why ensuring the safety of American skies takes a backseat to political posturing, while, for example, the
$14.5 billion aid package for Israel, passed just weeks ago by a bipartisan majority, faced no such 'staffing shortages' or 'safety concerns.' (See H.R. 815, passed by the House on Nov 2, 2023, according to Congress.gov). It appears that certain 'high-volume markets' – like weapons manufacturers' coffers – are always fully staffed and funded, regardless of a government shutdown. How many
'critical' domestic services must face austerity before our elected officials prioritize American safety and stability over geopolitical maneuvering?