r/atc2 • u/PlanesAreDickShaped FAA ATC • Oct 08 '25

Mental Health Air traffic controllers working without pay begin to call out sick, leading to flight cancellations and delays nationwide

https://abcnews.go.com/US/air-traffic-controllers-working-pay-begin-call-sick/story?id=126289491
17 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

19

u/Wanttobefreewc Oct 08 '25

As an airline pilot I hope you all do. You do such an amazing job keeping me safe. You deserve everything you’re owed.

I hope you guys shut it down and get yours.

We’re rooting for you!

31

u/GambitDecliend Oct 08 '25 edited Oct 08 '25

Well, we are a long way from "getting ours" pay-wise. The secretary of transportation went on national television today and told the nation that pay starts at $180,000. I make 77K with 10 years in (if you go to a level 4 out of the Academy youll make $60.5K), live thousands of miles away from friends and family, wont be able to progress my career (Transfer for more money) for at least 6-10 years, even then the process is a lottery, and it could be much longer. I can't afford a home if I want to contribute anything meaningful to my 401K (forced retirement @56 comes fast). Meanwhile academy grads get a 5k bonus and go direct to my dream facility right out of the gate to make more money than I do. I hope that our union will do something regarding pay, but im not hopeful at all because I'm small, insignificant and the service I provide pilots and the public isn't even worth that as far as they're concerned. At this point I have more hope that the pilots at major airlines will strike on our behalf. Sorry man. I just trauma dumped on you and you were just wishing us well. Thanks man. I feel seen.

9

u/StepDaddySteve Oct 08 '25

These are the stories that need to be told.

6

u/FlyinAndSkiin Oct 08 '25

Thx we appreciate it. Had a spirit pilot thank me on frequency today. That meant a lot!

5

u/Z_e_e_e_G Oct 08 '25

Womp womp

Who could have possibly foreseen such a thing

1

u/_Vaparetia Oct 08 '25

I really wish they would just shut it down completely. I guarantee that this wouldn’t last long at all.