Houston Kenne, The Spectator
Government shutdowns carry with them many risks, both political and physical. One major risk comes from the air travel industry when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not have funding and air traffic controllers don’t show up for work.
Don’t get me wrong: being an air traffic controller is one of the most stressful jobs on the planet and one mistake can cost hundreds of lives. Still, I am of two minds: as a person, I can see why someone would opt not to show up to work if they are not getting paid, even if back pay is involved. However, when air travel continues through a government shutdown, air traffic controllers have a duty to show up to work and ensure their fellow citizens get to their destinations safely, even when it’s inconvenient.
President Trump recently called on air traffic controllers to return to their jobs immediately or face pay repercussions while giving a $10,000 bonus to their colleagues who came into work regardless of the shutdown. This follows basic business principals and is a great move by the president. By docking pay for air traffic controllers who didn’t show up to work and giving bonuses to those who did, President Trump is sending a clear message that failing to do one’s critical job amid a shutdown will not fly.
Now, of course President Trump’s demand did not come without criticism. Biden Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg came out of the woodwork to go after the president for his move, claiming that President Trump “wouldn’t last five minutes as an air traffic controller.” To give grace to both President Trump and former Secretary Buttigieg: they both have long resumes of stressful jobs. President Trump’s experience as a leader in the business world and former Secretary Buttigieg’s service as a Naval intelligence officer both offer their own stressors, but neither of them would be a good fit as an air traffic controller.