FAA gives $10K bonuses only to air traffic controllers with perfect attendance during shutdown

"Only 776 of the more than 10,000 air traffic controllers who had to work without pay during the record shutdown will receive the $10,000 bonuses that President Donald Trump suggested because they are the only ones that had perfect attendance, officials announced Thursday. A number of controllers started calling out of work as the shutdown dragged on longer than a month as they dealt with the financial pressure of working without a paycheck."

"Some of them got side jobs, but others simply couldn't afford the child care or gas they needed to work. Their absences forced delays at airports across the country and led the government to cut some of their flights at 40 busy airports. Trump suggested the bonuses for those who have stayed on the job in a social media post, but he also suggested that controllers who missed work should have their pay docked."

"Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the bonuses acknowledged the dedication of controllers who never missed a shift during the 43-day shutdown. These patriotic men and women never missed a beat and kept the flying public safe throughout the shutdown, Duffy said. But Democratic Rep. Rick Larsen questioned why all the controllers and others who worked to keep flights moving during during the shutdown won't get bonuses."

Only 776 of more than 10,000 air traffic controllers who worked without pay during the 43-day shutdown will receive $10,000 bonuses for perfect attendance. Many controllers missed shifts as financial pressure forced some to take side jobs and others could not afford child care or gas. Those absences caused delays nationwide and prompted reductions of flights at 40 busy airports. President Trump suggested bonuses and also suggested docking pay for missed work. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy praised controllers who never missed shifts as keeping the flying public safe. Some Democrats and officials called for broader bonuses and back pay. TSA also announced $10,000 bonuses for some officers.

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