PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Air traffic controllers say they're relieved the government shutdown is over, but they're already concerned about the potential for another one.
After working for 43 days without paychecks, air traffic controllers are breathing easier knowing their bank accounts will soon be replenished. But Mike Christine, the eastern regional vice president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, notes the continuing resolution keeping the government funded is in effect only until the end of January.
"The reality is, a lot of us know that we're just staring down a new date of Jan. 31. So a little bit of relief, but a lot of anxiety because we could be sitting in the same situation in a few short months," Christine told KYW Newsradio. "We are very thankful that we are going to get paid. But we do know the reality that we could be sitting and doing the same thing again. And we could be having these conversations in January, February, and March."
Controllers and their families were feeling the financial pain, Christine said.
"There was a lot of dinner-side conversations that were, 'Are we going to lose the house, Mom and Dad?'"
"Now as this money comes in, they're being able to go back to their creditors, restart payment for things that they deferred," he said, adding that controllers are thinking they'll need to be ready whenever a shutdown happens again.
Christine said his members are weary of being caught in the middle.
"Air traffic controllers and federal employees need to stop being used as pawns during these disputes on the Hill," he said. "This is not an air traffic control issue. This government shutdown was never about air traffic controllers. Unfortunately, we were thrust into the spotlight."
Christine said stories of federal workers going unpaid during government shutdowns will discourage the next generation of controllers.
"A big concern is, a lot of people have been watching air traffic control, and it hasn't been the greatest recruitment video, with all the highlights of working 43 days without pay," he said.