- Monday, October 2, 2023

Lawmakers in Washington were able to avoid a government shutdown over the weekend with a bipartisan deal made in the House. The can has been kicked down the road until November, when Congress is set to clash yet again on keeping the federal government’s lights on.

While I am certainly concerned about runaway government spending, as we approach the new funding deadline, which is Nov. 17, it’s important to remember the ripple effects of a shutdown would extend well beyond roping off national parks and monuments.

For example, a perfect storm is brewing for the country’s bustling travel infrastructure — notably affecting Americans hitting the skies. Consumers should be prepared for turbulence that could be created by an impasse in Congress later this year.

If a shutdown comes to fruition, Transportation Security Administration officers will be among those affected by pay delays, which could result in longer lines at security checkpoints. While TSA officers are considered essential personnel and therefore must still report to airports in the event of a shutdown, working without pay will inevitably slow the pace of getting travelers to their gates safely.

During the 35-day shutdown in late 2018 and early 2019, for example, the TSA saw an increase in officers taking sick days when paychecks didn’t show up. It’s not difficult to imagine why.

But these are far from the only problems. The U.S. Travel Association estimates that a government shutdown would cost the economy as much as $140 million per day — compromising tourism dollars and the communities that prop up travel hubs. According to another new survey, 6 in 10 Americans would cancel or avoid air travel if the federal government turns out the lights.

On top of immediate disruptions and a short-term economic plunge, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also recently warned of the long-term consequences of a shutdown.

The Federal Aviation Administration is racing against the clock to address an air traffic controller shortage that’s plaguing U.S. airspace. Mr. Buttigieg acknowledged that a shutdown could throw a wrench into these staffing recovery plans, saying it could “set us back by months or more because of how complex that training is.”

While air traffic controllers currently on the job would remain at their posts without pay if the federal government shuts down, training programs for 2,600 new controllers would be paused.

Shutdown-related staffing gaps would only exacerbate a sticky situation for the FAA.

According to the National Air Traffic Controller Association, the U.S. has 1,200 fewer controllers than it did 10 years ago, despite busier skies. And less staffing inevitably leads to more delays, an uptick in flight cancellations, and heightened stress for those responsible for guiding planes safely. This not only squeezes airline logistics but also creates chaos for passengers.

Currently, air traffic control towers are just 81% staffed nationwide, and key facilities across the country are experiencing even worse worker shortages. One in the New York area, for example, has roughly half of the controllers it needs. Lack of qualified personnel is such a concern that 10% of flights at three major airports in the Northeast Corridor were cut over the summer — a flight diet that will be extended for yet another year.

The FAA is facing a mounting crisis. The government agency is juggling a litany of issues, including a tumultuous history of budgetary crises, leadership gaps and outdated technology. And while we were able to avoid a government shutdown this time around, the new looming November deadline threatens to pile on and compromise air travel further for millions of Americans.

• Jamey Bowers is an owner and partner at Berman and Co.

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