Sky Troubles: Why Your Flight Might Be Grounded

The U. S. government shutdown is causing major headaches for air travelers. Air traffic controllers, who haven't been paid in over a month, are struggling to keep up. This has led to a lot of flight cancellations and delays. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been asking airlines to cut down on flights. They started with a 4% reduction at major airports. But now, they've increased that to 6% and then to 10%. This is all to make sure the skies stay safe. Weather isn't helping either. Freezing temperatures in some parts of the country are making things worse. This means more delays and cancellations. It's not just commercial flights either. Private jets and business planes are also feeling the pinch. The Senate has passed a bill to reopen the government. But it still needs to go through the House. Until then, the FAA says flight cuts will stay in place. They want to see safety improve before things go back to normal. This shutdown is affecting real people. Todd Walker missed his mom's 80th birthday because his flight was canceled. He's not alone. Many Americans are feeling the impact. Some people think more should be done. A group called Patriotic Millionaires wants all private jets grounded during the shutdown. They say it's unfair that rich people can still fly while others can't. Air traffic controllers are under a lot of stress. Some are calling in sick or quitting. It's unclear when they'll get paid once the shutdown ends. After the last shutdown, it took over two months for them to receive back pay. President Trump has weighed in. He wants controllers to go back to work and has suggested bonuses for those who stay. But controllers say the shutdown has made their jobs even harder.