The federal government will shut down at 12:01 a.m. tonight, and that means changes are coming to airports across Georgia and the country.
What It Means For You: Your flights may be delayed or take longer than usual. Airport security lines could move slower. Air traffic controllers and airport security workers will still show up to keep you safe, but they won’t get paid until the shutdown ends.
What’s Happening: Airlines For America, which represents major airlines, warned Congress to find a solution before the deadline. The group says forcing aviation workers to work without pay will strain the entire system.
- Air traffic controllers will work without paychecks
- TSA agents who check passengers at security will work without pay
- Aircraft inspectors will be furloughed or work without pay
Why The Timing Is Bad: The shutdown comes right after Congress approved $12.5 billion to upgrade the country’s air traffic control system. The Department of Transportation has been hiring more air traffic controllers to fill empty positions. TSA just reported record numbers of travelers going through checkpoints.
The Big Picture: Aviation remains the safest way to travel, but the system may need to slow down to maintain safety standards when workers are stressed by missing paychecks. Past shutdowns have caused longer wait times at airports and flight delays as the system operates with reduced efficiency.
The Sources: Airlines For America.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
