As the U.S. government shutdown drags into its fifth day, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is under fire for the escalating chaos in the skies. With over 1,200 flights canceled just this Tuesday alone, travelers are left scrambling amid widespread delays at major airports from New York to Los Angeles. Duffy, a former congressman turned cabinet member, held a press conference at Central Wisconsin Airport, defending the FAA's tough calls on mandatory flight reductions.
The root of the mess? A severe shortage of air traffic controllers, unpaid due to the shutdown, forcing the agency to slash capacity by up to 6% at 40 high-traffic hubs. Airlines like Delta, United, and American have axed thousands of flights since the crisis began, with experts warning that even if Congress patches things up soon, the backlog could linger for weeks. Duffy clapped back at critics like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, insisting the moves are purely about safety—recent FAA data shows a spike in near-miss incidents between planes.
Thanksgiving plans hang in the balance for millions, as booking trends dip slightly amid soaring costs and uncertainty. While Duffy juggles his role with frequent TV spots for the Trump administration, the human cost is mounting: frustrated families, missed connections, and a travel industry bracing for worse. One can't help but wonder if this shutdown snarl will finally push lawmakers to prioritize the basics over politics.
