Airlines Feed Controllers Amid Shutdown Strains | JQJO

On Day 28 of the shutdown, air traffic controllers missed their first full paychecks, and airlines brought food. United is donating meals at hubs including Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.; Delta and JetBlue are arranging limited meals with federal partners. At LaGuardia, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cited rising sick calls, controllers seeking side gigs, and delays tied to staffing, including 44% of 8,700 on Sunday. Union leaders described severe financial strain, as controllers planned to hand out leaflets outside at least 17 airports urging an end to the shutdown.