The federal government shutdown has left air traffic controllers in Jacksonville potentially working without pay, adding financial stress to an already demanding job, said Dan McCabe, regional vice president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association Southern Region.

“These people go to work every day. They deal with stress. It’s what they’re trained to do,” McCabe said.

“But now, they’re done being paid. They got their partial paycheck two weeks ago. They’ll get a zero paycheck next, and financial stress is creeping into the building.”

Despite the shutdown, McCabe emphasized that operations remain normal.

“No reduced hours, no consolidating positions. It’s business as usual. People are still being trained.”

The air traffic control industry faces a staffing crisis, with a nat

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