WASHINGTON – Three weeks into the government shutdown, travelers have mixed feelings about flying in and out of the nation’s capital.
Most interviewed by Capital News Service said they worry the ongoing shutdown could make conditions worse, even as they have faced only slight delays so far.
“I think it’s a valid concern,” said Darean Rhodes, who arrived Wednesday at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport from New York’s LaGuardia Airport. “I feel like it’s a gamble, it’s just a toss in the air whether you’re going to make the flight, or how the TSA is doing that day.”
During Wednesday and early Thursday, FlightAware reported 3,321 delayed flights and 51 cancellations. Locally, 123 of those delays were at Reagan National Airport (DCA), over 70 at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and over 70 at Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI).
CNS caught Michael Dill on the Metro’s Yellow Line on his way to Reagan National. He said he had flown months earlier, but this was his first flight since the government shutdown began.
“Honestly, I’m always concerned about delays when I fly, but even more so now. It’s a work trip, so there is not much I can do other than try to go,” Dill said.
Air traffic controllers are considered essential workers and are required to work during the shutdown.
Due to pay disruptions, many are calling out sick or not showing up to work, according to Forbes. Since the shutdown began in the middle of a pay period, air traffic controllers already received reduced paychecks on Oct. 14. On Oct.28, they will not receive any pay.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told reporters on Capitol Hill Thursday that ending the government shutdown was the Democrats’ responsibility.
“I can’t guarantee you that your flight’s going to be on time,” Duffy said. “I can’t guarantee you that your flight’s not going to be cancelled. It’s going to depend on our air traffic controllers coming in to work every single day… If they do not, we’ll know whose fault it is.”
Dill said that is his worry.
“I mean, (the problem is) the potential shortage of workers,” he said. “It’s my understanding that even before the shutdown, TSA was having problems, and I think the chances of a delay are now compounded.”
The longest previous government shutdown lasted 35 days, from December 2018 to January 2019, under President Donald Trump’s first term.
“During the 35-day shutdown in 2018-2019, nearly 10% of TSA agents called out sick,” according to Forbes.
The current shutdown is now the second-longest in history.
“I did (experience delays) from Tulsa to here when I was flying out,” Oklahoma resident Crystal Stubbs said as she waited for her return flight from Reagan. “I came up here to meet my brother, and then we flew out there together. There was like a six-hour delay over there. This (flight) was just pushed back, too.”
Other flyers were less concerned about their flights.
“I have not been affected by any of the shutdowns as far as flights go,” Jenna Newcomb Barkhimer from White Salmon, Washington, said. “(The shutdown) did affect our trip, so we couldn’t go to any of the museums.”
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