Editor’s note: “Behind the News” is the product of Sun staff assisted by the Sun’s AI lab, which includes a variety of tools such as Anthropic’s Claude, Perplexity AI, Google Gemini and ChatGPT.

The federal government shutdown has entered its second week, and its effects are rippling across the nation’s skies. Staffing shortages among air traffic controllers and TSA officers are causing widespread delays, with Reagan National Airport joining Chicago; Newark, N.J.; Denver, Nashville, Tenn.; and Burbank, Calif., in reporting disruptions. At Burbank, the control tower even shut down for several hours.

Union leaders warn that the impact will worsen as employees miss paychecks and morale declines. For travelers, understanding your rights — and what steps you can take — can make a stressful si

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