Sean Duffy Warns Air Travel Is Going to Get Worse as Orlando Sees 2.7 Hour Delays

Air travel is expected to worsen as the US government shutdown enters its 31st day, with air traffic controllers working without pay. The current shortage of controllers has led to significant delays at major airports like Orlando International Airport, where passengers are facing average wait times of over two hours.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the situation will only get worse if the shutdown prolongs into the Thanksgiving and Christmas travel seasons. He noted that while weather conditions and traffic are currently relatively favorable, this is a temporary reprieve. The stress of not receiving paychecks is taking a toll on air traffic controllers, with many resorting to taking on extra jobs to make ends meet.

According to Duffy, the lack of pay is causing increasing stress among controllers, who are now facing financial difficulties and feeling fatigued. This, in turn, poses a significant risk to public safety as the controllers coordinate air traffic. One controller, who has started driving for DoorDash during his off-hours, revealed that his daughter has noticed the impact on his behavior.

The shutdown's effects extend beyond air travel, with millions of Americans facing reduced SNAP benefits starting Saturday. The Trump administration has refused to release emergency funds set aside by USDA to support those affected, although a lawsuit is underway to compel the government to spend the money.

In a surprise move, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby attended a press conference at the White House and expressed support for a "clean CR," which would prevent Democrats from negotiating on health care tax credits. The airline's donation of $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund has raised eyebrows, with some questioning whether corporate interests are being prioritized over the welfare of federal employees.

Ugh, air travel is already so stressful and now it's gonna get worse because those controllers aren't getting paid can you even imagine not knowing when you're gonna get your paycheck? And it's not just them, millions more are getting hit with reduced SNAP benefits starting Saturday what a nightmare. And meanwhile, United Airlines is basically saying "we care about federal employees... as long as our interests aren't threatened" like, no thanks. It's just another reason to hate the shutdown

Ugh, can't believe this is happening . I mean, I get it, politicians and bureaucrats have more important things on their plates than paychecks, but come on... 31 days without a paycheck? That's unacceptable for anyone, let alone people who are literally keeping the country airborne . And now they're saying it'll only get worse? What's next, a strike at NASA or something?

I'm all for reasonable negotiations, but this is ridiculous. I've got friends who work in the service industry and they can barely make ends meet on their own wages, so to see these air traffic controllers struggling... it's just not right . And what about all those people relying on SNAP benefits? It's like the government is putting profits over people .

United Airlines' move is just shady too... I mean, I get that they're trying to influence policy, but donating a million bucks to Trump's inaugural fund? That's some questionable corporate citizenship right there . Just sayin'.

this is getting crazy air travel delays are already bad enough now with these controllers not getting paid it's like they're just winging it... literally what's next? paying pilots in hopes we don't crash or something? i feel for the families of these controllers, especially that DoorDash driver who has to hide his daughter from him because he can't afford to be there for her 1 million bucks from United Airlines for Trump's inaugural fund? what a joke corporations are always more concerned with profits than people's lives...

Ugh air travel is already so stressful as it is, now add a bunch of unpaid controllers and you got yourself a recipe for disaster. I mean, I get it, the government shutdown is no joke, but come on, we gotta think about public safety here . Those controllers are not just pressing buttons, they're literally saving lives .

And what's up with all this corporate backtracking? United Airlines don't even have to worry about losing customers, but still they jump ship over a measly million dollars . It's like they're more worried about their bottom line than the people who depend on them for a living . Can't we just get along and support our own instead of playing favorites?

Ugh, can't believe this is happening . 31 days without pay for air traffic controllers? That's just crazy talk. I mean, what's next? They're gonna expect them to fly planes for free too? It's not like they're not getting paid, they're getting a chunk of change that's supposed to be there already. And now United Airlines is trying to muscle in on the government's side? Give me a break . I get it, corporate interests are looking out for themselves, but come on, can't we all just get along? The stress is real, and it's not just about the money, it's about people's livelihoods being put at risk. We need to figure this out ASAP, before more lives get affected .

OMG, can you even imagine flying during a government shutdown? I'm already getting anxiety just thinking about it... like, what if there's a crash or something because controllers aren't getting paid on time? The thought of them having to juggle work and other jobs is so stressful. And poor families who are gonna lose SNAP benefits - that's just awful! I'm all for a clean CR, but come on, corporate interests shouldn't be prioritized over people's lives. Like, what if someone gets hurt because of a controller's fatigue? This shutdown needs to end ASAP...

Air travel is a total disaster right now and it's not just the delays that are killing me, it's the fact that these air traffic controllers are basically working for peanuts (no pun intended). I mean, I get it, they're essential to keeping us safe in the skies, but come on, they deserve better than to be left without pay for this long. And it's not just them, it's their families too - my cousin works as a controller and she's struggling to make ends meet. The whole situation is just so... ugh . I'm all for supporting our nation's airlines like United, but when does corporate interests take priority over the welfare of federal employees? It's just not right

Ugh man I'm so worried about all this air travel stuff . Can you imagine having a 2 hour wait at Orlando Airport just to fly? It's insane! But you know what they say, when life gives you lemons make lemonade, right? I think this is actually an opportunity for the government to get some things done, maybe get that CR passed and stuff. And hey, United Airlines donating a million bucks to Trump's inaugural fund could be seen as a positive thing, like they're trying to help out . It's all about perspective, you know? Instead of focusing on the stress and delays, let's try to find the silver lining in this situation .

I'm really concerned about air traffic controllers working without pay . It's not just their jobs that are at risk, but public safety too! They're already stressed out and having to take on extra work to make ends meet, it's only a matter of time before mistakes happen on the runway . We need to get them paid ASAP! And what's with United Airlines trying to influence politics? Their donation is suspicious at best. It feels like they're more interested in lining their pockets than helping the US economy . Something needs to be done about this shutdown, not just for air travel but for everyone affected by it .

I'm getting so frustrated with our government shutdown drama! 31 days is a looong time for folks who are already working on their days off (like air traffic controllers, btw ). They're not asking for much, just paychecks so they can support themselves and their families. The fact that some politicians are more worried about corporate donations than human lives is honestly wild. I mean, what's next? It's time for our leaders to put people over profits!

Air travel chaos is about to get real! ️ With air traffic controllers on strike and working without pay, I'm not surprised to see delays piling up like crazy at airports . I mean, who wants to wait in line for over 2 hours just to check their bags? It's only getting worse if the shutdown drags into the holidays - can you imagine the stress on our poor controllers and their families?

And what's with the shady side deal between United Airlines and Trump's inaugural fund? One mil for a PR stunt that feels like corporate welfare. Shouldn't we be supporting our public servants, not just airlines looking to cash in?

Wow , air traffic controllers not get paid is crazy! Interesting how they have to take extra jobs just to make ends meet . I feel bad for them and their families . Hope the government figure out a solution ASAP so they can focus on keeping us safe in the skies .

Ugh, this is getting crazy ... I mean, can't we all just take a deep breath and think about how this affects everyday people? Like, have you ever had to wait in line for two hours at the airport? That's not fun. And now they're talking about the impact on air traffic controllers, who are already stressed out because they haven't been paid . It's like, can't we just get this stuff sorted out so people don't have to suffer? I'm not sure what the deal is with United Airlines and Trump, but it seems weird that they're donating money to his inauguration fund ... let's hope we can find a way to make things better for everyone .

omg y'all i cant even believe what's going down rn air travel is gonna get SO much worse cuz our gov shutdown is like 31 days now!!! controllers r workin without pay and it's causin delays at major airports like orlando int'l airport, people are stuck waitin 2+ hrs just to get through security lol . i feel bad for them tho, they're stressin out cuz they ain't got a paycheck in sight . secretary sean duffy said if the shutdown keeps goin into thxksgiving and christmas travel seasons, things will only get worse . also, did u hear that united airlines CEO scott kirby was at the white house supportin a "clean cr" bill? like what even is that? they're donatin $1 million to trump's inaugural fund, omg wut kinda game is that?

Ugh I'm so worried about these air traffic controllers man they're already stressed and now they gotta work without pay it's like, I get that the government shutdown is a big deal but this is affecting people's lives directly. And yeah, Scott Kirby's donation to Trump's inaugural fund is super sketchy - shouldn't airlines be focusing on their employees' well-being during times of uncertainty? Plus, what's up with the USDA not releasing emergency funds for SNAP benefits? It's not like it's going to break the bank for them

Ugh, can't believe this is happening again . Like, come on, people! Air traffic controllers are literally the ones keeping our skies safe, and they're getting screwed by politicians . I mean, 31 days without pay? That's just ridiculous. And now United Airlines is showing up to the White House with a $1 million donation... like, what's going on here? Is that really how you solve problems? Just saying, it feels like corporate interests are taking priority over actual human lives . Can we please get some real leadership in this country?

Ugh I'm so glad I didn't book that flight to Orlando for Thanksgiving anymore . These air traffic controllers deserve our support and a decent pay raise ASAP . I feel bad for them having to work without pay, but like how can they not? The extra jobs they're taking on are probably stressing them out even more . And yeah the whole government shutdown thing is crazy - who knew it was going to affect air travel so badly?

And what's up with United Airlines and their sudden interest in "clean CRs"? Is it just me or does it sound like they're trying to get something out of this shutdown? Not sure about the whole $1 million donation thing, but I'm not buying it either .

I also feel bad for the air traffic controllers' families - their daughter must be worried sick about her dad's behavior change . And what about those SNAP benefits? It's just another example of how this shutdown is affecting everyday people .

Anyway, I hope Congress figures out a way to end this shutdown soon and get things back on track .

this is getting crazy... I'm all for a clean CR, but come on, $1m to Trump's inaugural fund? it feels like United Airlines is more interested in lining their pockets than helping out its own employees! at least some of us care about the federal workers who are struggling to make ends meet and what about the controllers who can't afford healthcare because they're not getting paid? it's a ticking time bomb for public safety...

Ugh my gosh have you seen the state of airports lately?! I've got a kid who loves flying and it's always stressing me out when there's a delay. And now this government shutdown is making things even worse... I feel so bad for the air traffic controllers, they're not getting paid and it's like, what are they supposed to do? It's just not right that people are having to work extra jobs on top of their regular job just to make ends meet. And don't even get me started on the parents who have to deal with the stress of not knowing when their kid will be able to get off the plane... It's like, I get it, there needs to be budgeting and all that, but can't they just work something out so people aren't suffering? And what's up with United Airlines donating a million bucks to Trump's inaugural fund? Like, is corporate America really putting profits over people right now?