Famous Faces Grounded: The Shutdown's Impact on Air Travel

The government shutdown has caused chaos in the skies, with flights being cut by 10% at 40 major airports. This has left many people, including celebrities, stranded and frustrated. The issue stems from air traffic controllers, who are not being paid during the shutdown, deciding to stay home. As a result, airlines have had to cancel over 4, 400 flights and delay another 10, 000, according to FlightAware. This travel mess is affecting everyone, but it's not just ordinary folks who are feeling the pinch. Celebrities and influencers have been sharing their stories of long delays and canceled flights on social media. Jackie Goldschneider, known for her appearances on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, had to deal with unavoidable delays after a college tour in North Carolina. Meanwhile, Jessi Ngatikaura, a star from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, faced a flight that was delayed four times before finally taking off, making her journey 13 hours longer than expected. Even comedians like Kevin Fredericks have been hit by the travel turmoil. He shared his experience of having a flight canceled and then rebooked, only to face more delays and cancellations. The situation is so bad that 12 airports have decided to halt private jet operations, which could make things even harder for celebrities trying to get around. The government is trying to downplay the situation, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy insisting that flying is still safe. He claims the measures are just to reduce risk while controllers work without pay. However, the National Business Aviation Association is calling for an immediate end to the shutdown, arguing that the restrictions are causing unnecessary problems. There's a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Senators have voted to pass a bill to reopen the federal government, but it still needs to be approved by the House of Representatives and signed by the President. Until then, travelers, including celebrities, will have to deal with the ongoing disruptions.