Finally! Flights – Including MSP Get Back to Normal Flight Schedules

That was a toughy.  Because of the government shutdown that lasted for 43 days and shut down a percentage of air travel, as of today, it is back to normal.

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AIRPORTS RESUME NORMAL FLIGHT SCHEDULES

The FAA announced that as of today, November 17th, air traffic will proceed as normal.  Everyone needs to get back to work.  For 43 days, none of the TSA or the air traffic control employees were getting paid.  Some did still show up for work, but others needed to take some side jobs in order to make ends meet.  They should be getting back pay, so hopefully they can catch up on their bills, but that was a very scary and unsafe time. That led to at least 2 paychecks that were missed.  In some cases it could have been more.

CANCELLATIONS HIT A HIGH POINT

Cancellations hit their highest point Nov. 9, when airlines cut more than 2,900 flights because of the FAA order, ongoing controller shortages and severe weather in parts of the country. Conditions began to improve throughout last week as more controllers returned to work amid news that Congress was close to a deal to end the shutdown. That progress also prompted the FAA to pause plans for further rate increases.

SAFETY CONCERNS

Speaking of safety, that question is on the table as far as if/when a government shut down happens again, that the TSA and air traffic control will be exempt from the non-pay during a government shut down.  This is a safety issue, and it's something that absolutely should be considered.

It is illegal for the TSA and airtraffic control employees to skip work, even if they are not getting paid.  But when you have a shutdown go on this long, and you need to make ends meet and feed your family, what is the option?

HOLIDAY TRAVEL

With holiday travel looming, and so many people dependant on flight schedules being kept, it's a good thing that the government came to an understanding.  At least until the end of January.  We will see what happens at that time.