Air traffic controllers warn of breaking point as a possible end to the shutdown looms

The federal government shutdown continues with no clear end in sight — and air traffic controllers say they're reaching a breaking point.

On the eve of Veterans Day , National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick Daniels called it a historic moment for the aviation workforce.

"It benchmarks the first time in history that air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals have now received two zero-dollar paychecks — 41 days without pay," Daniels said.

Daniels said the shutdown has forced many of his members to focus on survival instead of safety.

"When the most disciplined safety workforce in America has to think about survival instead of public safety, this is the cost," he said. "It's happening now — in real families, in real control rooms, in real time