Link: https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/25/politics/aviation-shutdown-negotiations/index.html
This article talks about the impact that the government shutdown has had on the aviation industry; as well as the consequences it has had on the nation. The government shutdown cut funding to agencies such as the TSA and FAA so aviation works, such as TSA agents and air traffic control workers, have not been paid. This lead to a large number of workers calling in “sick” which has resulted in a disruption in the national aviation system. Air traffic control workers are only allowed 6 shifts a week of 8 hours with 2 hours overtime, due to the rigorous focus and concentration the job requires. Throughout the shutdown flights have been delayed and security screenings have decreased in overall efficiency due to the lack of man power. The shutdown not only affected commercial aviation but cargo aviation as well, effecting commerce through the US airspace.
For the majority of the shutdown there was insufficient communication between those politicians responsible for the shutdown and those officials running the aviation agencies affected. The lack of communication was a large part of what lead to the problems the last month, an example of this is waiting two weeks into the shutdown before letting furloughed workers know they would receive back pay. Earlier this week however thanks to the communication of heads of the aviation community, like Paul Rinaldi president of the air traffic controller union, with those same politicians these issues were seen as a”catalyst to ending this shutdown for both sides” (CNN).