Air Traffic Controllers Warned: No Pay If You Call in Sick — But Could This Threat Backfire?
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sparked major controversy on Thursday when he told Fox Business viewers that air traffic controllers who call in sick during the government shutdown won’t be paid — and could even lose their jobs. But aviation experts say this hardline stance might do more harm than good. After all, when it comes to managing the country’s airspace, strong-arm tactics rarely fly smoothly.
What Duffy Said on Live TV
During his appearance on Fox Business, Duffy claimed that sick calls among air traffic controllers are responsible for more than half of all flight delays since the start of the shutdown. Host Stuart Varney asked whether those employees would be compensated. Duffy’s response was blunt: “No, we’re not,” adding that only the hours actually worked would be paid — and only after the shutdown ends.
To some in the aviation community, that sounded like a direct threat. One controller told Forbes, “Duffy is playing with fire.” He warned that if just a few controllers at a major East Coast hub called in sick, air traffic could come to a complete standstill. “Nobody goes anywhere,” he said. “You’d be lucky to get a flight off the ground.”
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) quickly responded, saying that proper systems already exist to address any misuse of sick leave. In other words, the situation should be handled procedurally, not through public warnings on television.
Are Sick Calls to Blame for Flight Chaos?
Duffy argued that while most controllers are showing up to work, around 10% “are lashing out.” Before the shutdown, staff shortages accounted for roughly 5% of flight delays, but that number has now jumped to more than 53%. Duffy labeled this a “massive rise” in delays caused by staff calling out sick, describing it as a serious problem.
Yet critics say the comment overlooks the emotional and financial strain controllers are under. “The last thing you want to tell these guys is that you’re not going to pay them,” another controller told Forbes. “That wipes out every bit of motivation I had.” He explained that controllers require detailed knowledge of specific airspaces and operate hundreds of radio frequencies — making them virtually irreplaceable. “You can’t just plug someone else in,” he added. “There’s no such thing as ‘plug and play’ in this job.”
Is It Illegal for Controllers to Call In Sick?
NATCA has reminded its more than 19,000 members that coordinated “sick-outs” — in which workers collectively call off to disrupt operations — are illegal. Still, several controllers say this isn’t a coordinated protest but a reflection of real exhaustion and stress. “People are under incredible pressure,” said Chad Kendall, an FAA instructor and aviation professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver. “Questioning the motives behind someone calling out sick isn’t fair. They’re entitled to their accrued sick time like anyone else.” Kendall added that using frontline workers as “bargaining chips” during a shutdown is exactly the kind of rhetoric the aviation sector doesn’t need right now.
When Will Controllers Get Paid Again?
Like TSA agents who continue to work without pay, air traffic controllers are deemed “essential” and therefore must remain on duty during a shutdown. By law, they are supposed to receive back pay once the government reopens. However, President Donald Trump recently hinted that even that could be in question. According to NATCA president Nick Daniels, controllers are set to receive a partial paycheck on Tuesday, October 14, followed by a zero-dollar paycheck two weeks later.
The Bigger Picture — And the Debate Ahead
What’s unfolding is more than a story about sick calls; it’s a test of how far leadership can push essential workers before the system breaks. Is threatening employees during a crisis the right way to keep the skies safe, or does it only worsen the situation? Some say Duffy’s comments could erode trust in one of the most high-stakes professions in the country. Others argue that firm discipline is necessary to maintain order.
So what do you think — is this tough talk justified, or is it setting the stage for an even more dangerous breakdown? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
