LAX Ground Stop Highlights Air Traffic Control Woes

A recent ground stop at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has put a spotlight on the ongoing staffing crisis in air traffic control. This issue is not new, but it has been worsened by the federal government shutdown. The shutdown has left air traffic controllers working without pay, leading to increased stress and more people calling in sick. The ground stop at LAX started around 8:45 a. m. on a Sunday morning. It affected flights going to Oakland and caused delays for passengers across Southern California. Some flights were delayed by up to 87 minutes. Even after the ground stop was lifted, travelers were advised to check their flight status. This is not the first time airports have faced staffing shortages. Just a few days into the shutdown, Hollywood Burbank Airport had to temporarily close its air traffic control tower. Flights were delayed by an average of two hours and 31 minutes. Other major airports, like Ronald Reagan Washington National and Philadelphia International, have also been affected. The U. S. Secretary of Transportation has spoken about the growing problem. He mentioned that air traffic controllers are under a lot of stress. Many live paycheck to paycheck and are worried about basic needs like gas, childcare, and mortgages. On Saturday, 22 airports reported staffing shortages, one of the highest numbers since the shutdown began. California's governor used this situation to criticize the Secretary of Transportation. His office posted a news story about the LAX ground stop on social media, saying, \"Hell of a job, @SecDuffy. \" This is not the first time a federal shutdown has caused flight disruptions. In January 2019, a similar situation at LaGuardia Airport in New York City led to quick action from politicians. However, this time, Republicans and Democrats in Washington seem stuck in a deadlock, with no agreement in sight.