Shutdown could set US back 'months, if not years' in air traffic controller shortage, union president says
A government shutdown could set the U.S. back "months, if not years" in its ongoing air traffic controller staffing shortage, the head of the workforce's union said. A government shutdown could set the U.S. back " months , if not years " in its ongoing air traffic control ler staffing shortage , the head of the workforce's union told ABC News Thursday. Close to 1,000 trainee air traffic controllers will be off the job next week if Congress doesn't reach a deal to fund the government. They have until the end of the day Sept. 30; the government shuts down 12:01 a.m. ET on Oct. 1 if they can't strike a deal. Roughly half of the controllers that would be furloughed are currently in training at the Federal Aviation Administration's facility in Oklahoma City. A shutdown would close that school and send its students home. MORE: Government shutdown would mean fewer controllers, potential flight disruptions "A few-day shutdown will incur months...