PORTLAND, Ore. — It could take months for air travel to return to normal following the government shutdown , according to the air traffic controllers union. The ongoing 6% reduction in flights is expected to continue through the holidays, and the true impact of the shutdown may not be clear for months.

Air traffic controllers were already at critical staffing levels before the shutdown. A union leader for the Northwest region said many workers were forced to take other jobs to pay their bills, and now she's worried some won't return.

"The impacts of the government shutdown are really unknown at this point," said Stephanie Winder, regional director for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. "It's going to take a few months until our pay — and we're made whole and all of tho

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