President Donald Trump and an air traffic control tower at LaGuardia Airport.

By Chris Spiker From Daily Voice

President Donald Trump harshly criticized air traffic controllers as flight cancellations and delays surge during the record-long federal government shutdown.

Trump bashed the workers who have missed two paychecks on his social media platform Truth Social on Monday, Nov. 10. His post came as about 1,763 US-based flights were canceled and 4,745 were delayed nationwide as of 1:30 p.m., according to FlightAware.

While continuing to blame Democrats for the 41-day shutdown, Trump demanded that air traffic controllers return to work, even as some have needed to take on jobs like driving for Uber to pay their bills.

"All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!!" Trump posted. "Anyone who doesn't will be substantially "docked." For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn't take ANY TIME OFF for the "Democrat Shutdown Hoax," I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country. For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU."

Trump also urged some controllers to quit their jobs without receiving any severance pay.

"You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record," he wrote. "If you want to leave service in the near future, please do not hesitate to do so, with NO payment or severance of any kind! You will be quickly replaced by true Patriots, who will do a better job on the Brand New State of the Art Equipment, the best in the World, that we are in the process of ordering."

President Donald Trump appearing on the Fox broadcast of an NFL game between the Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Nov. 9.

President Donald Trump appearing on the Fox broadcast of an NFL game between the Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Nov. 9.

Wikimedia Commons - The White House

In late October, National Air Traffic Controllers Association president Nick Daniels called the shutdown unacceptable and urged Congress to reopen the federal government.

"During the shutdown, these professionals are required to oversee the movement of the nation's passengers and cargo while many are working ten-hour days and six-day workweeks due to the ongoing staffing shortage, all without pay," said Daniels. "This situation creates substantial distractions for individuals who are already engaged in extremely stressful work. The financial and mental strain increases risks within the National Airspace System, making it less safe with each passing day of the shutdown."

The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered airlines to cut up to 10% of their daily schedules at 40 major airports between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Several Northeast cities are among those with slashed flights, including Baltimore, Boston, Newark, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.

The cuts, which started on Friday, Nov. 7, are set to grow to 6% by Tuesday, Nov. 11. If the shutdown continues, the reductions will increase to 8% by Thursday, Nov. 13, and 10% by Friday, Nov. 14.

The FAA also began broad restrictions on private flights for a dozen airports at midnight EST on Monday, Nov. 10. The cuts effectively prohibit business aviation operations at 12 of the country's busiest hubs.

The 41-day government shutdown moved closer to ending after the Senate passed a controversial funding deal late on Sunday, Nov. 9. The House still needs to approve the package before it heads to Trump's desk for his signature.

There are more than 14,000 air traffic controllers employed by the FAA.