Two pilots were killed in the March 22 plane crash at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York — a painful loss for their families and a loss that, like any aviation tragedy, was felt by those of us who work in the industry. At all times, aviation demands precision and rigor. Of late, however, there has been an intensified strain on our community.
I would like to help others understand our work, though, to be clear, I am sharing my personal views and do not speak for the Federal Aviation Administration or the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
As someone who has worked in busy air traffic sessions, I know how quickly complexity can build in the control tower.
Aviation is built on professionalism, precision and an unwavering commitment to safety. But behind the radar scopes and tower windows are human beings, people who carry the same life pressures and responsibilities as everyone else. I have been an FAA air traffic controller for more than 16 years. As someone who has worked in busy air traffic sessions, I know how quickly complexity can build in the control tower. In a matter of moments, a controller could be managing aircraft lined up for departure, inbound arrivals seeking to land, an emergency ground control, airport management personnel calling on frequency and coordinating with the radar approach control facility all at the same time.
Every instruction must be correct. Every decision must be timely. Every moment requires intense concentration. It is an extraordinarily intense mental workload that demands discipline, composure and skill.
Now imagine managing that environment while also carrying the burdens that many Americans face outside the workplace: sick child at home, financial stress, a looming divorce or other everyday pressures of modern life. Add to that a government shutdown that has created chaos for travelers and budget burdens for workers.
During the federal government shutdown last year, thousands of federal aviation employees were required to continue working without pay. Many employees in safety-sensitive roles had to report for duty every day while worrying about how they would cover rent, groceries or child care. I experienced this personally. During that shutdown, I had to drive for DoorDash after work to help make ends meet.
I was fortunate. During that time, I did interviews with MS NOW and other outlets. Chris Cuomo and NewsNation helped highlight my situation, and DoorDash provided support to struggling workers like me. I will always be grateful for that assistance. But the reality was that most affected workers did not receive that outside help. They simply had to endure the uncertainty and find ways to hold on until the political stalemate ended or consider leaving public service. Several workers I know shared their anecdotes and other experiences with me.
It’s an incredibly difficult position to be in, especially for those working in safety-critical roles. To be clear, I am not suggesting that congressional dysfunction caused the tragedy at LaGuardia last weekend. Aviation incidents are complex and must be thoroughly investigated before conclusions are drawn. But I can say piling unnecessary financial stress onto the people responsible for maintaining the safety of our aviation system is irresponsible. Safety culture thrives when employees are supported, focused and confident in their workplace stability. It erodes when morale declines and uncertainty grows. President Donald Trump signed an executive action Friday to restart pay to Transportation Security Administration employees. Even before the current shutdown — a funding impasse that has not affected FAA air traffic controllers — the aviation system faced serious challenges. Air traffic control is severely understaffed across the country. Controllers routinely work demanding schedules to keep the system moving safely. Meanwhile, the number of travelers continues to increase, airports grow busier and expectations for efficiency rise. Staffing shortages combined with workplace uncertainty are not a formula for long-term success. If we want the safest aviation system in the world, which the United States has long maintained, we must support the people who operate it every day. That begins with a functioning government. Congress must stop allowing political gridlock to threaten the livelihoods of the workers responsible for keeping millions of travelers safe. Federal aviation employees should never have to wonder whether or when their next paycheck will arrive while performing one of the most demanding jobs in transportation. The simple question is this: What are our priorities legislatively? If safety truly comes first, then the answer should be equally simple: stable funding, proper staffing and support for the front-line professionals who keep America’s skies safe and travelers moving every day. More staffing leads to safer outcomes. A functioning government helps make that possible. The flying public deserves nothing less.
Jack Criss
Jack Criss is an air traffic control specialist at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. 
