Aviation workers issue dire shutdown warning

Pilots, air traffic controllers and flight attendants are warning that aviation safety is “deteriorating by the day” as the shutdown drags on, and suggested that there’s no telling when “the entire system will break.”

Leaders of three unions issued a statement late Wednesday evening saying their concern is growing for their employees, airlines and the public.

“In our risk averse industry, we cannot even calculate the level of risk currently at play, nor predict the point at which the entire system will break. It is unprecedented,” they wrote.

An FAA spokesperson said that “the traveling public can be assured that our nation’s airspace system is safe.”

Air traffic controllers, TSA officers and safety inspectors, who are excepted personnel and are working through the shutdown, are about to miss their second paycheck. Other FAA workers are furloughed and agency activities are on hold, contributing to significant stress on the aviation industry.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the main union for controllers, has said repeatedly that if controllers eligible for retirement actually start heading for the exits due to the shutdown, the national aviation system could be “crippled.” Airports have also had to close security checkpoints due to high levels of TSA agents calling out from work.

FAA has maintained that staffing levels remain adequate.

“The FAA continually reviews and analyzes the performance of the national airspace system to assess its safety and efficiency,” an agency spokesman said. “We have not observed any appreciable difference in performance over the last several weeks compared to the same periods during the previous two years. We remain grateful to the air traffic controllers for their professional and dedication to their safety mission.”

FAA also said that it has not seen any “increased absenteeism” or a measurable rise in retirements or resignations.

Brianna Gurciullo contributed to this report.

Article originally published on POLITICO Magazine

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Source: https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/24/aviation-workers-shutdown-warning-1111083
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