Some essential airport workers, including air traffic controllers, who are paid through the Federal Aviation Administration using federal funds, have now gone without a paycheck for 38 days thanks to the government shutdown.
Many of those employees have stopped showing up for work, forcing the FAA to cancel over 2,000 flights this weekend. While travelers navigate the chaos, those airport workers are navigating their own survival.
Some essential airport workers, including air traffic controllers, who are paid through the Federal Aviation Administration using federal funds, have now gone without a paycheck for 38 days thanks to the government shutdown.
Many of those employees have stopped showing up for work, forcing the FAA to cancel over 2,000 flights this weekend. While travelers navigate the chaos, those airport workers are navigating their own survival.
Airports across the country are now rallying to collect food donations to help support those unpaid employees. Airports in Orlando, Cleveland, San Jose, and elsewhere are organizing donations through the hashtag #AirportsInAction.
ICYMI: Join us in stocking our pantry to assist MCO’s dedicated federal employees affected by the government shutdown. #AirportsInAction Please ensure that items are nonperishable and unopened in the original packaging. You may also donate gift cards in the value of $10 each. pic.twitter.com/V3witg1JG7
— Orlando International Airport (@MCO) November 8, 2025
Cleveland’s airport is partnering with a global relief organization to support its workers.
A former TSA officer who now publishes a travel industry newsletter has also been raising funds for his former TSA colleagues who are struggling to afford gas to get to work.
Caleb Harmon-Marshall has so far raised over $4,000 through a PayPal donation campaign.
