Air traffic controllers across the United States are expressing frustration and anger over a recently announced $10,000 retention bonus, calling the payment inadequate given the mounting pressures facing the profession and the critical staffing shortages plaguing the Federal Aviation Administration.
Controllers and union representatives have described the $10,000 figure as tone-deaf, particularly when compared to the high-stakes nature of their work and the severe consequences of staffing shortages. Air traffic controllers are responsible for safely managing thousands of flights daily, separating aircraft in crowded airspace, and making split-second decisions that directly impact passenger safety.
“It feels like a slap in the face,” said one controller who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We’re working six-day weeks, mandatory overtime, dealing with outdated equipment at some facilities, and they think $10,000 fixes that? Meanwhile, the stress is driving people out of the profession faster than we can train new ones.”
The average pay for an ATC is $100,810. The recent shutdown lasted 43 days or 344 hours assuming 8 hours a day maximum allowed by the FAA.
$100,810 / 26 weeks = $3,877/two weeks $3,877 / 80 hours = $48.46/hour $48.46 * 344 = $16,670.24 gross pay, without overtime.
While all controllers should eventually be disbursed their back pay (Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019), only 776 controllers will receive this bonus.
Russel Vought, Christian Nationalist architect of P2025, and now director of the Office of Management and Budget, wants to traumatize the federal workforce to strong-arm his fascist theocracy into power and this is the result.
If Russel Vought believes you’ll go to heaven or hell based on your political affiliations, doesn’t it kind of make twisted accelerationist sense for him to try and kill you in an engineered airline disaster?
Not 100% sure, but they should have received all their back pay including OT.
There’s also a bill moving to use an FAA fund that pays for any damage done to commandeered airplanes to pay ATC during in future shutdown.
And like, our last budget was FY24, we already lapped without a budget before anybody paid attention. I legitimately think will keeping using “continuing resolutions” until trump’s out of office.
Even if Dems sweep in midterms, trump won’t sign it if it’s not exactly what he wants.