Air traffic controllers didn't get paid during the government shutdown. Here's how much they make normally.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Style
Controllers at Boston Logan airport.
Becoming an air traffic controller is a long and difficult process, and the job is equally stressful. But it comes with good pay.

Michael Dwyer/AP

Trump recommends $10,000 bonus to air traffic controllers who didn't call out sick during the shutdown

Tech Insider : Politics, Economy, Business
Donald Trump
The president sharply criticized air traffic controllers who took time off during the shutdown, saying he's "NOT HAPPY" with them.

Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images

A Southwest plane had to abort its landing after a near miss with a helicopter crossing its path

Tech Insider : Business, Style
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 airplane departs from San Diego International Airport en route to Sacramento on August 15, 2025 in San Diego, California
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737.

Kevin Carter/Getty Images

Air traffic controllers have become reluctant bargaining chips in the government shutdown. They just want to get paid.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
air traffic control tower
Air traffic controllers are about to miss their first paycheck of the government shutdown.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Air traffic controllers say pilots and flight attendants are sending them free food. The shutdown has them working with no pay.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
An air-traffic control tower in Burbank, California
Air traffic controllers in towers across the US are getting free food delivered from pilots, flight attendants, and others during the government shutdown, when they're not drawing a paycheck.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

If you're flying during the government shutdown, you're 10 times more likely to be delayed by staff shortages than normal

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
An airplane takes off near the control tower at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on October 8, 2025.
Reagan National Airport near Washington, DC, saw average delays of 31 minutes due to understaffing.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

An LA airport was left without air traffic controllers for 6 hours as the government shutdown causes travel chaos

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
A dark and unstaffed air traffic control tower is seen at the Hollywood Burbank Airport on October 6, 2025 in Burbank, California.
The unstaffed air traffic control tower at Hollywood Burbank Airport on Monday.

FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

'Pay attention': Spirit pilots got a slap on the wrist after flying too close to Air Force One while Trump was on board

Tech Insider : Business, Style
US President Donald Trump (C) and US First Lady Melania Trump disembark from Air Force One after landing at Stansted Airport, eastern England, on September 16, 2025
Air Force One landed in the UK on Tuesday.

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Air traffic control chaos affecting 700,000 passengers was made worse when an engineer couldn't log in remotely

Tech Insider
CRAWLEY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: People wait near check-in desks at Gatwick Airport on August 28, 2023 in Crawley, United Kingdom.
Passengers at London Gatwick Airport on the day of the incident in August 2023.

Carl Court/Getty Images

A Southwest flight appeared to take off from a closed runway that had a vehicle on it without being cleared by air traffic control

Tech Insider
Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-76N prepares for takeoff at Los Angeles International Airport on March 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737.

AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

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