In the midst of a grinding government shutdown, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is front and center, fielding tough questions on the escalating mess in U.S. air travel. Speaking at LaGuardia Airport yesterday, Duffy highlighted the strain on air traffic controllers, who are facing missed paychecks and mounting safety risks. "This is strictly about safety," he shot back at critics like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who accused the administration of overreach.
The fallout is hitting hard: over 1,200 flights were canceled nationwide on Tuesday, with delays plaguing major hubs from New York to Atlanta. The FAA has ramped up restrictions, now requiring airlines to slash 6% of flights at 40 key airports, up from 4% just days ago. Bad weather isn't helping, but experts point to the shutdown's chokehold on federal staffing as the real culprit. United Airlines alone scrapped 4% of its weekend schedule, leaving travelers scrambling for alternatives.
Duffy, a former congressman thrust into this high-stakes role earlier this year, has been making near-daily TV hits to defend the cuts. He's warned of rising "loss of separation" incidents between planes, underscoring the human toll on understaffed towers. Meanwhile, airlines like Delta and American are waiving fees for affected routes, but the disruptions show no quick end in sight as budget talks drag on.
As families and business folks reroute their plans, one can't help but wonder if this shutdown's ripple effects will force a rethink on how we keep the skies safe and open.
