Air traffic controllers working without pay get warning from boss: 'Staff that aren't dedicated like we need, we'll let them go' | Fortune

""If we have some of our staff that aren't dedicated like we need, we'll let them go," Duffy said, noting that more than 90% of controllers have been showing up to work during the shutdown. "... It's a small fraction of people who don't come to work. They can create this massive disruption. And that's what you're seeing rippling through our skies today.""

"Airports across the country have experienced delays this week because of a shortage of controllers, more than half of which Duffy attributed to work no-shows. The worst problems have come at smaller airports in Burbank, California, and Nashville, Tennessee, but there have also been delays at major hubs in Newark, New Jersey, Chicago, Denver and Dallas-Fort Worth."

"Even a small number of controllers not showing up for work is causing problems because the Federal Aviation Administration has a critical shortage of them. Duffy has made it a priority to increase hiring to try to eliminate the shortage in the next few years, but he said controllers who are "problem children" could still be fired. A Transportation Department spokesperson reinforced that message in a statement Friday, saying, "if there are rare bad actors that don't show up purposefully and cause disruptions to our operations, consequences are inevitable.""

A federal government shutdown has left the Federal Aviation Administration with a critical shortage of air traffic controllers, producing widespread delays at airports nationwide. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said more than 90% of controllers have been showing up, but a small fraction calling in sick without pay has caused major disruptions. Airports affected include smaller fields in Burbank and Nashville and major hubs in Newark, Chicago, Denver and Dallas-Fort Worth. Duffy warned that intentionally not showing up could lead to termination and prioritized increased hiring to eliminate the shortage over the next few years. A Transportation Department spokesperson said purposeful disruptions will have consequences.

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