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

US Air Travel Set to Get Worse as Shutdown Enters 31st Day

The government shutdown has taken a toll on America's air travel industry, with flight delays worsening this week. Orlando International Airport in Florida experienced an average delay of 2.7 hours overnight due to a lack of air traffic controllers on staff. The situation is expected to deteriorate further as the shutdown enters its 31st day.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that weekends are particularly challenging for air travel, with more people traveling during this time. However, even if the weather is favorable and the busy travel season hasn't started yet, things will only get worse, according to Duffy.

The stress on air traffic controllers is increasing by the day as they go without pay. Many are struggling to make ends meet, with some taking on extra jobs like driving for ride-sharing services or working other part-time jobs during their off-hours. This fatigue is a concern, particularly when it comes to coordinating air traffic.

"We're seeing delays and cancellations every day," said Duffy. "And the stress gets bigger as each day goes beyond that last paycheck that didn't come."

The situation is further exacerbated by the lack of emergency funding from USDA for federal employees struggling to feed themselves and their families. The government's refusal to release these funds has sparked a lawsuit, but President Donald Trump left without addressing the issue.

As the shutdown continues, airlines are taking steps to support their staff, including providing meals in over half a dozen airports. However, this is not enough to alleviate the concerns of federal employees who are struggling to make ends meet.

The United Airlines CEO, Scott Kirby, has taken a public stance on the issue, urging Congress to pass a "clean CR" that doesn't include negotiations on health care tax credits. The company's decision to donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund has raised eyebrows among some critics.

With 42 million Americans struggling to feed themselves due to SNAP benefits not being distributed starting Saturday, the situation is becoming increasingly dire. It remains to be seen how the government will address this crisis and what impact it will have on air travel in the coming days.

man this is getting serious air traffic controllers are already stretched thin and now they're having to go without pay? its like they're just expected to work for free and then wonder why delays happen all the time its not just about the flight delays, its about people's lives too... a lot of those controllers have families who rely on them so this shutdown is basically affecting everyone in the long run

Ugh, can you even imagine having to wait 2.7 hours at Orlando International Airport because there aren't enough air traffic controllers to handle the flight? It's just insane. I'm worried about those poor guys who are struggling to make ends meet without pay, driving for ride-sharing services and working part-time jobs just to get by. The government shutdown is having a huge impact on people's lives, and it's not just the air traffic controllers who are feeling the stress. I'm really concerned about how this will affect everyone, especially when you consider that 42 million Americans are going to be struggling to feed themselves due to the SNAP benefits not being distributed. It's like, what even is the point of a shutdown if it's just going to hurt so many people?

Wow The shutdown is really taking a toll on air travel ️, and 2.7 hours of delay at Orlando airport is crazy ! It's not just the flight delays that are the problem, it's also how some controllers have to balance work with finding other jobs to pay their bills . And now the SNAP benefits crisis is making things worse...42 million people struggling to eat? That's a big deal Interesting

Air travel woes are gonna get worse before they even start . I mean, 42 million people struggling to feed themselves? That's a whole lotta stress . And it's not just about the air traffic controllers, it's about the people who are counting on those benefits to make ends meet. I feel bad for them . Airlines might be providing meals in airports, but that's just a Band-Aid . We need some real solutions here . When's Congress gonna come together and fix this?

Ugh, can't believe we're at 31 days of no government shutdown deal ‍. I've had friends who work at airports, and they're already super stressed out because of all these delays and cancellations. It's not just about the air traffic controllers, it's also about the emotional toll on everyone involved. And now with 42 million people struggling to put food on the table, it's getting really scary . I feel bad for anyone who's having to go without meals because of this situation. As a frequent flyer, I'm already dreading my next flight ️. The fact that airlines are trying to make up for it with free meals is just a Band-Aid on a much bigger wound .

Air travel is literally gonna get worse as the shutdown drags on... 42 million ppl are struggling 2 feed themselves & its getting 2 a point w/airports being delayed cuz staff cant focus ️, can u imagine? They need emergency funding ASAP or things will just keep getting worse 4 everyone involved

Man, I'm getting super anxious thinking about all the flights getting delayed and cancelled due to this shutdown! 31 days is a long time and the stress on air traffic controllers is just unsustainable. They're working without pay and taking on extra jobs just to make ends meet, it's like they're losing their minds over here . And it's not just them, I'm worried about all the families who are struggling to feed themselves because of SNAP benefits not being distributed this weekend .

Airlines are trying to help with meals and stuff but it's just not enough. The United CEO is speaking out on this issue and urging Congress to pass a "clean CR" but I'm not sure if that's going to happen soon . The situation is getting more dire by the day, especially with 42 million Americans counting on those benefits. It's like the government has its priorities all wrong .

I just hope they can figure out a solution to this crisis soon because air travel is already suffering enough due to delays and cancellations. The stress on air traffic controllers is not going to go away until something is done about it, and it's only going to get worse if they don't get the funding they need

Wow , can you believe it's been 31 days of shutdown and flights are still getting delayed? People need food now and it's like airlines are only talking about themselves . And what's with this $1 million donation to Trump's fund? It just shows how disconnected the airline industry is from the real people affected by this crisis . Airlines need to step up their game, not just with free meals but with some actual help for their staff and the millions of Americans struggling to get food

I'm so done with these shutdowns! The thought of air traffic controllers working without pay is just insane , they're already stressed out enough just trying to keep us safe up there . And now, with all the extra jobs people are taking on just to make ends meet... it's a wonder anyone can function at all . I mean, what's the solution here? Just give 'em some emergency funding and call it a day . It's not like Congress has to agree on everything . And don't even get me started on the airlines trying to make up for it with free meals... that's just a Band-Aid on a broken system . Can't we all just have a nice, stable government for once?

the us government shutdown is getting super out of hand i feel so bad for all the people who are struggling because of it, especially those who work in air traffic control it's just not right that they're having to go without pay and still have to deal with stress on top of everything else. meanwhile, we've got folks like scott kirby from united airlines donating a million bucks to trump's inaugural fund yeah, i don't think so anyway, 42 million americans are going to be affected by this whole snappy thing and it's just not fair we need some real solutions for this ASAP

This shutdown is getting ridiculous! The fact that folks are having to get creative just to put food on the table while the gov's all caught up in politics is a real problem . I mean, what kind of system allows people to go without pay for this long? It's like we're seeing the true face of bureaucratic inefficiency . And let's not forget about the airlines getting in on the act with their little "meal donations" - just a PR stunt to distract from the real issue . We need some serious leadership here, and fast! Congress needs to stop playing games and pass that CR already . This shutdown is just another example of how our system is broken, and it's time for some real change .

️ Air travel in the US is about to get super congested ! The shutdown's been going on for 31 days now & it's like a big traffic jam at airports everywhere . Those air traffic controllers are burning out , working without pay and struggling to make ends meet . It's not just them, either - the whole system's getting stressed !

Let me draw a simple diagram to illustrate this:

+-----------------+
| Shutdown |
| (31 days) |
+-----------------+
|
| Air Traffic
| Controllers
| (burning out)
v
+-----------------+
| Flight Delays |
| & Cancellations|
+-----------------+

Airlines are trying to help with meals and stuff , but it's just not enough . And those people who can't afford food? It's getting really dire!

We need to find a way to get these federal employees paid ASAP & figure out what's next for this shutdown . Fingers crossed that things don't get worse before they get better

I'm totally fine with the current shutdown, I mean, who needs air traffic controllers working for free? It's not like we're gonna die or anything if our flights get delayed. And yeah, it's no big deal that some employees are struggling to make ends meet, they should just get a part-time job like Scott Kirby did... or like, I don't know, work from home?

But wait, what was I saying? Oh yeah, the shutdown! So, if we don't release those emergency funds for USDA, it's no big deal that people are gonna go hungry. I mean, that's just the way it goes sometimes, right? And 42 million Americans struggling to feed themselves is a great opportunity for them to get creative with their meals... like, um, ramen noodles and stuff.

And let's be real, what's the worst that could happen if we don't pass a "clean CR"? Air traffic controllers will just have to keep working for free? That's not a bad thing at all!

"Be careful what you wish for, because more often than not, your wishes don't quite work out as planned."

I'm getting worried about our air travel system . 31 days into the shutdown and things are only gonna get worse, man... The lack of air traffic controllers is already causing delays and cancellations, but add to that the fact that they're not even getting paid and it's like a ticking time bomb . I mean, can you blame them for being stressed out? They're working without pay and trying to make ends meet on their own... It's just not right.

And now with 42 million Americans struggling to get food and the government not releasing emergency funds... this is getting serious . The airlines are trying to help out by providing meals, but it's just a band-aid solution at this point. I'm all for supporting our men and women in uniform, but come on... can't we get our priorities straight? This shutdown is affecting so many people beyond just the feds.

"Actions speak louder than words"
the government's refusal to release emergency funding has left many federal employees struggling to feed themselves and their families
it's time for Congress to take action and find a solution to this crisis before it affects not just air travel, but the overall well-being of American citizens

Flight delays racking up ️ gotta wonder when someone's gonna lose their cool or worse, get hurt trying to keep planes safe...

omg this is so sad like who does that to ppl? federal employees r struggling 2 feed themselves & their fams & u gotta wonder if congress even cares at least airlines r tryin 2 do somethin, but $1m 4 trump's inaugural fund?? like what even is that for? can't they jus focus on gettin emergency funds out 2 ppl who need it most?!

Air travel is about to get super messed up! I mean, can't they sort out their issues already? 42 million people are struggling to feed themselves, that's insane. And now we're gonna have delayed flights and cancellations because of it? It's like, how can you prioritize air traffic control over actual human needs? The fact that these air traffic controllers are working without pay is just heartbreaking. I'm starting to think airlines are more concerned with their image than with actually helping the people they employ. United Airlines donating a million bucks to Trump's inaugural fund? Give me a break!