With the looming October 1 deadline for the United States government to pass a budget and avert a possible partial government shut-down, many are worried about the impacts such an event could have on air travel and passengers. The possibility of chaos in the air travel system in the United States shouldn’t be taken lightly, as numerous government workers, both in the civilian and public sectors, may be directly impacted.
In the worst case scenario, a major disruption could affect many of the services and functions that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its sub-agencies provide. At the most basic level, the FAA keeps the US skies safe by having Air Traffic Controllers monitor air traffic and guide pilots to their destinations. Without those Air Traffic Controllers on the job, air traffic would be severely diminished. The FAA also oversees the airworthiness of planes and their maintenance programs, conducts aircraft certification and airman qualification testing, and advises airlines on regulations to keep passengers safe. All of these services could be put on hold if the FAA were to be crippled by a partial government shutdown.
In addition, decreased funding could lead to layoffs and furloughs of other vital personnel related to air travel. This could include Department of Transportation and TSA security personnel, Customs and Border Patrol agents, Airport Operations personnel, airport ground crews, and pilots. Many airline companies may be in the position to maintain full operations, but with the reduction of government personnel, the servicing of planes, flight safety and service times may decrease.
If passengers are expecting to travel by air, there are certain steps that can be taken to anticipate or deal with the possibility of a partial government shutdown. The first step is to check with airlines and book flights early to minimize flight disruptions. Additionally, passengers should look into their individual airline’s policies regarding delays and cancellations due to weather or other conditions beyond the airline’s control. Finally, passengers should physically be at the airport two hours prior to their flight’s departure to give them enough time to pass through security and check any baggage.
Whether the US government passes a budget to avert a partial government shutdown or not, travelers should expect that a disruption to the air travel system may occur. With the capability of the FAA to protect and serve the American public greatly diminished, it is up to the travelers to takeSteps to prepare for any potential disruption.