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N A T C A I N W A S H I N G T O N 2 0 2 4
N i W To d a y
in U.S history eroded the critical layers necessary to
support and maintain the safety of the system. When
the shutdown finally ended, the NAS was on the verge
of unravelling, as many programs that reduce risk
and increase safety completely stopped.
NATCA and our members work hard to mitigate
distractions and reduce fatigue in our workforce,
but the shutdown increased fatigue and introduced
unnecessary distractions for controllers while they
were working airplanes. The pressure and the extra
stress that this shutdown inserted into the NAS
was intense. Controllers were distracted because
they were thinking about the shutdown and how
they would pay their mortgages, car payments, and
for food and other household expenses. To earn
income and take care of their families, in addition
to performing their regular stressful duties of
separating and sequencing traffic, some controllers
also drove an Uber or Lyft or waited tables before
and after their FAA shift. NATCA is committed to
ensuring that the people we represent are never
again put in this position.
FA A F u n d i n g R e q u i re s R o b u s t A u t h o r i z a t i o n a n d A p p ro p r i a t i o n s L eve l s
Issue
