As the holiday season approaches, many of us are making travelling plans to go on holiday. However, the government is shutdown tells a different story. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy has warned travellers to be mindful of flight delays as well as cancellations as the government shutdown is putting a strain on air travel.
Why Flights Are Being Delayed
As a result of the shutdown, many employees including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents were left working without pay. It is rather unfortunate that many of them are starting to feel the impact.
Over 20 personnel shortage reports have already been made in a single day, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is one of the highest amounts since the shutdown started. Secretary Duffy described the situation as “deeply concerning,” stating that delays are expected to get worse in the absence of staff.
Major Airports Feeling the Impact
At some of the busy airports, travellers are already affected:
- The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has temporarily put a pause to flights because there were not enough staff to control air traffic.
- Approximately, 8,000 U.S. flights were delayed.
Why Things Could Get Worse
It’s important to remember that even before the shutdown, the FAA was short-staffed. Unfortunately, the shutdown has worsened the situation. All those remaining staff are struggling to cope under pressure and are working long hours without pay.
TSA is also currently facing similar situations. There are many airport agents who are unpaid, there are limited staff working under pressure which results in longer waiting times.
In addition to all these issues, is the holiday rush that is approaching.
What Travelers Can Do
It is rather unfortunate that you cannot control the shutdown, however, you can prepare accordingly:
- Be sure to check the status of your flight. Make sure you follow real time updates and check for any delays or cancellations before you head to the airport.
- If possible, go to the airport early. Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time for the longer wait times as a result of limited staff.
- Try to keep your travel schedule flexible. Where possible, book flights earlier or later in the day when the airport is less busy.
- Ensure that you have a backup plan.
- Ensure that you stay calm and patient.
The Bigger Picture
More than just a hassle, this travel disruption serves as a reminder of how much the American aviation industry depends on government financing and personnel. Experts caution that the situation might worsen without an agreement to terminate the closure, which could have an impact on aircraft operations’ dependability and air safety.
This isn’t the first time this is happening, previously, when there were government shutdowns, this also happened. Airports were operating on short staff and wait times were longer. However, the only difference this time, is that the airport was already short staffed and the shutdown made it worse.
Hope on the Horizon?
Officials are currently negotiating but there is not timeline as to when the shutdown will end. With that being said, it’s important for travellers to plan ahead and prepare for delays.
Even though the system is safe, it’s currently under strain and many are hopeful that the shutdown will end soon.
Bottom Line
Anyone planning to travel in the upcoming weeks are urged to expect delays and long wait times. Be sure to prepare accordingly and have a back-up plan. Certain things are out of your control, but it is important to remain patient and stay calm. Make sure you follow your flight schedule for any update and changes to your flights. If you are unsure, contact the airline directly.