Name: Air traffic controllers miss paycheck, staffing issues worsen
Uploaded: 2025-10-28T19:21:28.846Z
Duration: 4 min 34 s
Description: Air traffic controllers just missed their first full paycheck after 28 days of government shutdown. With rent due November 1st, flight disruptions could affect travelers nationwide.

Air traffic controllers just missed their first full paycheck after 28 days of government shutdown. With rent due November 1st, flight disruptions could affect travelers nationwide.

Air traffic controllers have missed their first full paycheck as a result of the ongoing government shutdown, intensifying concerns about staffing shortages and disruptions in air travel. The union representing controllers has encouraged members to raise public awareness and urge congressional action, with some controllers reportedly seeking alternative work to meet financial obligations.

Flight delays and cancellations have already been reported at airports, with the potential for further disruptions as the shutdown continues. Lawmakers and transportation officials have warned that the situation could worsen, impacting a wider range of Americans who have not yet felt the effects of the shutdown.

Air traffic controllers miss paycheck, staffing issues worsen

The government shutdown and now we're hearing desperation in all voices speaking out on the situation. So what is the latest from your end? Right. Today's a big day when it comes to air travel and this I think has the opportunity, the chance of being a real inflection point, a real pressure point when it comes to this shutdown. Let's face it, Holly, unless you're a federal worker, unless you're someone who relies on government programs like SNAP, remember food assistance is ending next week. That's going to be a big moment. But unless you rely on government programs, unless you work for the federal government, maybe you haven't, even though the shutdown's gone on for 28 days, maybe you haven't felt it in your own life. Well, now there is a real question as to what our airports, flight delays and cancellations look like on this day and days going forward. We have reported on delays and cancellations in our airports during the shutdown already. But what's happened today that wasn't the case yesterday, today is the first missed full paycheck of air traffic controllers. And as the secretary of transportation has previously warned, the union representing air traffic controllers has previously warned, there isn't now a greater chance that you're going to see air traffic controllers calling out. This is what you see on your screen, many air traffic controllers changing their profile pictures, the union handing out this messaging to change their profile pictures, encourage their family and friends to call members of Congress. If you're traveling today, if you find yourself in an airport, you may encounter an air traffic controller. They're in a number of airports across the country today, from Ronald Reagan in Washington D. C. To Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. They're expected to air traffic controllers handing out flyers, encouraging passengers to call their member of Congress. Holly, nobody wants disruption in our skies, right? Nobody wants chaos at our airports. But it may be the issue that brings Democrats and Republicans together to figure out this shutdown. The politics of the shutdown on day 28, it might as well be day two of the shutdown. Democrats still want health care policy changes. Republicans want to open the government government now. And now we wait and see what again air travel looks like. If your long planned vacation is canceled, the flight to the first day of your cruise is canceled. This is going to impact a whole host of Americans that haven't felt the impacts of the shutdown up until this point. Senator Lisa Murkowski, the moderate Republican from Alaska, spoke about this shutdown and the need for both sides to come together yesterday. It is so not business as usual. We're pretending that everything is okay. We're pretending that people are not being impacted by this shutdown. I'm looking at the people that are here recording this that will be working to process this vote. None of none of them are getting paid. I could just tell you what we've been hearing our script studios team here on Capitol Hill, hearing reports that air traffic controllers may be seeking to drive lift or uber during this shutdown because well, what's due on november 1st for so many americans rent that mortgage payment. Where's that money coming coming from? The important part of this air traffic controller story is, you know, holly tomorrow we may be talking about another angle of the shutdown, right? Maybe maybe the big story tomorrow will be snap and food assistance programs. After all, 40 million americans are set to lose that in early november. The big air traffic story may not happen today. The big airport delay cancellation story may not happen today, maybe thursday or friday or saturday. If you have any plans on flying anytime soon, you're going to want to keep this in the back of your mind that a disruption is possible. And based on what we've heard from air traffic controllers, the union, the secretary of transportation, they almost expect something to happen at some point as the shutdown marches on holly flights were canceled in Los Angeles because of the lack of air traffic controllers. That was just one day ago and that was just a small amount of flights, but it may be a sign of things to come. All right joe, we will check in with you shortly. Scripps News deputy political director joe ST george for us. Thank you joe.

FBI Director Kash Patel announced an operation that apparently "thwarted a potential terrorist attack" during Halloween weekend in Michigan. CBS News' Scott MacFarlane has more.

Dearborn

Patel says FBI stopped a potential "terror attack" in Michigan

Washington and Beijing are "in agreement on many things," U.S. President Donald Trump said after the face-to-face meeting that lasted nearly two hours, the first between both leaders in six years.

Busan

Global Tariffs

Trump announces deal with China after talks with Xi in South Korea

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the resumption of nuclear weapons tests for the first time since 1992. A day earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia had successfully tested a nuclear-powered super torpedo.

Washington

Trump orders nuke tests after Russia tests nuclear-powered torpedo

Sudan and the UAE clash at the UN Security Council—Khartoum accuses Abu Dhabi of funding the RSF amid reports of atrocities.

New York

UN Security Council meeting: Sudan and UAE trade heated accusations

U.S.-China tensions cast a shadow over the APEC summit in South Korea — Leaders debate trade, diplomacy, and the bloc’s mission of free trade.

Gyeongju-si

APEC summit: U.S.-China rivalry looms over trade and diplomacy

Microsoft, Meta and Alphabet recently reported their quarterly earnings and one thing is certain: the jaw-dropping investments in artificial intelligence are only just getting started. This all comes just days after Nvidia became the world's first-ever $5 trillion company.

California

Meta stock falls over 10% after commitment to raise AI spending

CBS News has confirmed that the Pentagon ordered all state National Guards to form what they're calling "quick reaction forces" available for rapid deployments to address potential civil unrest.

Pentagon orders state National Guards to form rapid response units

Taylor Taranto has been sentenced to time served plus 36 months of supervised release after being convicted of threatening former President Barack Obama. He was also pardoned on Jan. 6 Capitol rioting charges by President Trump earlier this year.

Taylor Taranto sentenced to time served for Obama threat

Authorities have charged five people in connection with the overdose deaths of three 19-year-olds, including Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, the grandson of actor Robert De Niro.

Five arrested over overdose death of Robert De Niro’s grandson

Prince Andrew is being stripped of his royal titles and must move out of his mansion, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday. Andrew has come under intense scrutiny over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

London

Prince Andrew stripped of royal titles over Jeffrey Epstein ties

French police have now detained seven people over the robbery at France's landmark museum on 19 October.

Paris

Louvre heist: Five new suspects arrested as search for jewels continues

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that China has approved a TikTok transfer deal. CBS News White House reporter Willie James Inman has more.

Treasury Secretary Bessent says China approved TikTok transfer deal

As Hurricane Melissa continues its trail of death and devastation through the Caribbean, Jamaica is taking stock. With over 75% of the country without power and $22 billion in damage, experts estimate recovery could take a decade.

Kingston

Jamaica reels as Hurricane Melissa leaves behind devastation

House lawmakers have been told their paychecks will be delayed until Congress passes a new funding bill. CBS News congressional reporter Taurean Small has the latest on the government shutdown.

House lawmakers' paychecks delayed until government reopens

Israeli planes and tanks pounded areas in eastern Gaza on Thursday (October 30), Palestinian residents and witnesses said, a day after Israel said it remained committed to a U.S.-backed ceasefire despite launching more lethal bombardments in the territory.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israel strikes Gaza after asserting commitment to ceasefire

In the Netherlands, the centrist D66 party looks on course to beat the far right in the national election. Exit polls have predicted Rob Jetten's party will claim victory, which could lead him to become the country's youngest ever prime minister.

Amsterdam

Dutch centrist party wins big in election as far right loses support

President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. military on Thursday (October 30) to immediately resume testing nuclear weapons after a gap of 33 years, minutes before beginning a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump tells Pentagon to resume testing U.S. nuclear weapons

President Trump will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This is their first face-to-face since Mr. Trump returned to the White House. Jessi Mitchell anchors this Special Report.

Trump, Xi Jinping meet face-to-face in South Korea over trade

The Bank of Canada made a 25-basis-point cut to its key interest rate while governor Tiff Macklem suggested rates will hold where they are as long as inflation stays in the target range of two per cent.

Ottawa

Bank of Canada cuts key interest rate to 2.25%

After leaving Jamaica with widespread power outages and flooding, Melissa caused fatal flooding in Haiti that has killed 25 people and hit Cuba with a storm surge.

Port-au-Prince

Hurricane Melissa causes floods in Haiti, killing at least 25

Fentanyl production tops the agenda as the U.S. and China discuss curbing exports tied to the deadly opioid crisis.

Fentanyl crackdown central in U.S.-China talks

APEC members face economic uncertainty amid rising US-China rivalry—South Korea prepares for potential fallout from high-stakes talks.

U.S.-China trade tensions leave South Korea navigating APEC fallout

President Putin announced that the Poseidon super torpedo was successfully tested and cannot be intercepted, marking a new stage in Russia’s naval capabilities.

Moscow

Russia says its successfully tested nuclear-capable underwater drone

The Justice Department has put D.C. prosecutors on leave after they submitted a court memo describing those who attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021 as "rioters." The filing was in a case involving Taylor Taranto, who was part of the Capitol riot and is currently facing unrelated weapons charges.

DOJ sidelines prosecutors over Jan. 6 'rioters' court filing

Sean Grayson, the former Illinois sheriff's deputy who shot and killed Sonya Massey in her home in 2024, was found guilty of second-degree murder.

Illinois

Ex-officer found guilty of murder in Sonya Massey shooting

President Donald Trump is sending America's largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean to help stop small boats he says are transporting drugs to the U.S. Trump says the U.S. is in "armed conflict" with Venezuelan drug cartels.

U.S. masses more naval forces off coast of Venezuela

The U.S. Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that it will lower its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points in its second straight cut.

Fed lowers interest rates by 0.25 percentage points

The police operation was one of the most violent in Brazil’s recent history, with human rights organizations calling for investigations into the deaths.

Rio de Janeiro

Raid on Rio drug trafficking gang leaves at least 64 dead

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba on Wednesday after ripping through Jamaica. CBS News' Jarred Hill has more details.

Havana

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Cuba after slamming Jamaica

U.S. President Donald Trump landed in South Korea on Wednesday (October 29) for the final leg of his Asia trip, optimistic about striking a trade war truce with Chinese President Xi Jinping after summit talks with South Korea's Lee Jae Myung.

Breakdown