Imagine being stuck at the airport for hours, your vacation dreams fading away, all because of a government standoff that's leaving essential workers unpaid and overworked. That's the frustrating reality facing thousands of travelers right now as flight delays plague major U.S. airports amid an ongoing government shutdown.
By Megan Cerullo, Reporter, MoneyWatch (https://www.cbsnews.com/team/megan-cerullo/)
Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch, focusing on small business, workplace issues, health care, consumer spending, and personal finance. She frequently shares her insights on CBS News 24/7.
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Updated on: October 10, 2025 / 3:15 PM EDT / CBS News
If you're gearing up for a trip involving flights to or from U.S. airports, you might want to brace yourself for some unexpected hiccups. Staffing challenges are mounting as the government shutdown (https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/government-shutdown-live-updates-as-military-poised-to-miss-first-paychecks-next-week/) drags into its 10th day this Friday, creating ripples that could disrupt your plans.
CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave, reporting live from Los Angeles International Airport, described the overall situation as "a bit chaotic across the country." To put it simply, the nation's air travel system is feeling the strain, and it's not just about the weather or typical busy periods.
Looking ahead to the Columbus Day (https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/nation-world/whats-open-and-closed-on-indigenous-peoples-day-columbus-day/507-a15dff4d-d870-4f25-8ec7-b1373f08c96e) weekend, the Federal Aviation Administration has around 52,000 flights on the schedule. That's a lot of planes in the sky, and keeping everyone safe—both on the ground and aloft—relies heavily on dedicated professionals like TSA officers and air traffic controllers. These workers are classified as essential (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/shutdown-2025-air-traffic-controllers/) by the government, which means they're required to keep showing up for duty (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/government-shutdown-federal-workers/) even during the shutdown, without their paychecks arriving on time. For beginners wondering what this means, TSA officers screen passengers and baggage to prevent security threats, while air traffic controllers guide planes safely through takeoff, flight, and landing—think of them as the invisible conductors of a massive aerial orchestra.
But here's where it gets controversial: an increase in employees calling in sick has sparked scattered delays and cancellations, fueling worries about not having enough staff on hand. And to add to the mix, potential weather disruptions (https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nyc-noreaster/) are forecasted for the East Coast and Phoenix, which could turn a minor issue into a bigger headache. Van Cleave pointed out that this uncertainty is injecting stress into everyone's travel plans, popping up unpredictably across the air traffic control network.
Normally, shortages in air traffic controllers account for about 5% of all flight delays. But according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Fox Business, that number has skyrocketed to 53% right now. It's not appearing to be a deliberate, organized protest—often called a "sick-out"—but rather more absences due to illness than usual. Every day, especially in the later hours, several FAA facilities hit what are known as "staffing triggers," meaning they're running short on personnel. Some of these shortages cause little fuss, while others lead to significant disruptions.
Take Nashville International Airport in Tennessee on Thursday, for instance—about 40,000 passengers were affected by a controller shortfall. This shows that even if most controllers are on the job, the gaps can still create real problems for travelers. And this is the part most people miss: while the union representing these workers, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), firmly states on its website (https://www.natca.org/) that it doesn't support any actions that could endanger national airspace safety, it also encourages members to keep reporting for work despite the delayed pay. Their message emphasizes the importance of maintaining that high standard of service during tough times: "At this critical moment, it's more vital than ever that we step up and deliver the reliable, top-notch public service we provide daily."
Secretary Duffy warned that controllers who bend the rules on sick leave could face consequences. Yet, the effects of these staffing gaps on flights have been relatively minor so far, as Van Cleave noted. Delays and cancellations this week have stayed within historical averages, with most flights departing on schedule. However, the proportion of delays tied to controller shortages is rising, and experts fear it could escalate if the situation persists.
But let's pause and consider the bigger picture: is this surge in sick calls truly just coincidental health issues, or could it be a subtle form of protest against unpaid labor? Some might argue it's a natural response to stress and uncertainty, while others see it as a quiet pushback. What do you think—should essential workers be expected to toil without pay during shutdowns, or does this highlight flaws in how we handle government funding crises? Share your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear differing opinions on this!
Edited by Anne Marie D. Lee (https://www.cbsnews.com/team/anne-marie-lee/)
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* Transportation Security Administration (https://www.cbsnews.com/tag/transportation-security-administration/)
* Government Shutdown (https://www.cbsnews.com/feature/government-shutdown/)
