It’s Day 28 of the federal government shutdown – just a few days away from this becoming the longest-running shutdown in U.S. history… And air traffic controllers working without pay are feeling it. 

Today, the nation’s roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers are getting their first zero-dollar paycheck since the government shutdown began on October 1.    

Some of them say they’re considering side gigs, like driving for Uber or DoorDash, to make up for lost income. And thousands of flights have been delayed over the past few days because of controller absences. 

The shutdown is only the latest in a long list of frustrations bogging these workers down. Understaffing has been troubling the industry for years – including here in Washington state.

An aviation expert explains what it takes to become an air traffic controller, the hardships that come with this profession and where the shutdown fits into all of this. 

Guest: 
Margaret Wallace, an assistant professor of Aviation Management at Florida Institute of Technology. Wallace also worked as an air traffic controller for the U.S. Air Force for more than a decade. 

Related stories:
Air Traffic Controllers Are Bargaining Chips in Government Shutdown - Business Insider
High stress, salary: What it takes to become an air traffic controller
Flight delays worsen due to air traffic controller shortage amid shutdown
How the nation's air traffic controller shortage affects Washington state - Axios Seattle

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

It&rsquo;s Day 28 of the federal government shutdown &ndash; just a few days away from this becoming the longest-running shutdown in U.S. history&hellip; And air traffic controllers working without pay are feeling it.&nbsp;
Today, the nation&rsquo;s roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers are getting their first zero-dollar paycheck since the government shutdown began on October 1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Some of them say they&rsquo;re considering side gigs, like driving for Uber or DoorDash, to make up for lost income. And thousands of flights have been delayed over the past few days because of controller absences.&nbsp;
The shutdown is only the latest in a long list of frustrations bogging these workers down. Understaffing has been troubling the industry for years &ndash; including here in Washington state.
An aviation expert explains what it takes to become an air traffic controller, the hardships that come with this profession and where the shutdown fits into all of this.&nbsp;
Guest:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Margaret Wallace, an assistant professor of Aviation Management at Florida Institute of Technology. Wallace also worked as an air traffic controller for the U.S. Air Force for more than a decade.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Related stories:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-traffic-controllers-government-shutdown-bargaining-chips-2025-10">Air Traffic Controllers Are Bargaining Chips in Government Shutdown - Business Insider</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2025/05/08/air-traffic-controller-job-requirements/83455336007/">High stress, salary: What it takes to become an air traffic controller</a></li>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/5574571-air-traffic-controllers-government-shutdown/">Flight delays worsen due to air traffic controller shortage amid shutdown</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2025/02/11/air-traffic-control-hiring-washington-state">How the nation's air traffic controller shortage affects Washington state - Axios Seattle</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes" data-stringify-link="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes" data-sk="tooltip_parent">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Air traffic controllers got their first zero-dollar paycheck since the government shutdown began. This is only the latest in a list of grievances bogging these workers down. 

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