Government shutdown - flights?

[japanese maple]

Where are you flying to/from? (And what dates if you don't mind sharing)

I actually switched to the earliest flight on the way there. Our cat won't know he's going a day early... And it was cheaper so we got over $400 in credits!

On the way back we are already on second flight out, so I think we will wait a bit because it would cost us to change that one.

 

[sam_gordon]

Just my opinion, but I don't think air travel will see any effects from the shutdown for at least one week, possibly even more than two.

That being said, I will generally take a morning flight on the way to vacation, and especially if it's cheaper? Sign me up!

 

[japanese maple]

Talked to an agent at United and was able to get us on the first flight home too without an extra cost. She actually worked some kind of magic where we used our credits from other flight to pay difference and we still have money left on travel certificates that will mostly pay for our flights to Knoxville/Dollywood next year!

I feel better in that we are on the first flight out each leg and that's about the best I can do in this situation. Now just wait and see!

Hope this doesn't last long, hope those affected make it through this and I hope those of us traveling don't have too many issues other than maybe some long lines!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I read yesterday (as I was sitting in the airport for our return trip) that travelers are unlikely to see little, if any, impact. However, air traffic personnel are required to continue working without pay until the shutdown ends, and I wonder how long that will last before controllers will get "sick"and/or just plain tired. And unfortunately we've been delayed due to an airport being closed because of "safety reasons due to too few air traffic controllers", so I just hope for the best for people flying!

 

[japanese maple]

I read yesterday (as I was sitting in the airport for our return trip) that travelers are unlikely to see little, if any, impact. However, air traffic personnel are required to continue working without pay until the shutdown ends, and I wonder how long that will last before controllers will get "sick"and/or just plain tired. And unfortunately we've been delayed due to an airport being closed because of "safety reasons due to too few air traffic controllers", so I just hope for the best for people flying!

Yeah if it lasts as long as the last one (35 days I think?) then we will feel it at the airports because that is exactly what happened. ATC and TSA started calling in sick. So flight delays and some cancellations.

That's why I tried to position us at the best advantage, first flight out! It's all I know to do I guess.

 

[easyas123]

We flew EDI to PHL yesterday with zero issues in PHL upon arrival. In fact I didn't think I even came to a full stop while going thru customs. Thank you Global entry!

My folks flew PHL to RSW this morning, no issues there either.

 

[japanese maple]

We flew EDI to PHL yesterday with zero issues in PHL upon arrival. In fact I didn't think I even came to a full stop while going thru customs. Thank you Global entry!

My folks flew PHL to RSW this morning, no issues there either.

I don't think we'll start noticing issues until this lasts for more than two weeks.

 

[easyas123]

I don't think we'll start noticing issues until this lasts for more than two weeks.

No, I do not think so either. But since some people had concerns, thoughts, and questions I thought I would share our experience in the last day or two.

 

[EACarlson]

I don't think we'll start noticing issues until this lasts for more than two weeks.

This is what worries me. I leave for Germany on 10/7 and return on 10/14. And I've got to double connect on the way home.

 

[Mle8308]

I actually switched to the earliest flight on the way there. Our cat won't know he's going a day early... And it was cheaper so we got over $400 in credits!

On the way back we are already on second flight out, so I think we will wait a bit because it would cost us to change that one.

Like I mentioned in the post about Space Ship Earth, I am flying down the same day as you. I didn't even think about the government shutdown and I have a late flight, 8pm. It's JetBlue so I fully expect them to change the departure time to earlier anyway (they always seem to do so on this late flight, they combine it with an earlier flight and make one in between the two). Hope it things are settled by then! Not going to worry about it now.

 

[japanese maple]

Like I mentioned in the post about Space Ship Earth, I am flying down the same day as you. I didn't even think about the government shutdown and I have a late flight, 8pm. It's JetBlue so I fully expect them to change the departure time to earlier anyway (they always seem to do so on this late flight, they combine it with an earlier flight and make one in between the two). Hope it things are settled by then! Not going to worry about it now.

Yeah I mean I switched to some earlier flights, but honestly that was just because I felt like I wanted to do something but I fully know it's totally out of my control.

I hope it ends too.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-new...orts-government-shutdown-continues-rcna236049

"There were no air traffic controllers expected at the tower at Hollywood Burbank Airport in the Los Angeles area for an hours-long stretch Monday night because of staffing issues, a source familiar with the situation said. The Federal Aviation Administration showed the staffing issue between 4 p.m. and 9:59 p.m. PT (7 pm. Monday to 12:59 a.m. Tuesday ET). The source told NBC News that some air traffic will be handled by San Diego TRACON at a much-reduced rate — meaning arrival and departure delays are certain.

Newark Liberty International Airport and Denver International Airport also experienced issues with air traffic control staffing Monday."

New York Time article below
https://archive.ph/cM6in

"The delays began in the late afternoon at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, where incoming flights were delayed nearly an hour on average, and at Denver International Airport, where arriving flights were delayed about 40 minutes. Later in the evening, Hollywood Burbank Airport near Los Angeles reported average incoming delays of about two and a half hours"


It's not 2019 anymore, pilot and FAA shortages have been a critical problem since the pandemic. The shutdown (less than a week) doesn't help this issue at all and it's being warned affects are/will happen. It's not surprising that Newark is affected as I mentioned earlier they've been the airport not to fly through this year due to FAA staffing issues to the point where safety is an issue.

 

[japanese maple]

Well, here we go! Good luck everyone traveling soon. May we all arrive to our destination and arrive home from our destination relatively unscathed!

 

[Lumpy1106]

Just flew Boston to Long Beach with a layover in Denver yesterday. We were an hour delayed leaving Denver. Don't know the details but I do know the delay was due to an air traffic controller "staffing issue" in Burbank. Flights all over the west coast were delayed so they could shuffle operations to other airports and keep Burbank open.

LSS - it was an hour delay for us, a couple of hours if you were flying to Burbank. I would not re-schedule your travel, but I would count on some delays. YMMV as always.

 

[LilyWDW]

Made it home safe and sound with no delays. Luckily it seems my trip was just before things would get bad. Fingers crossed for everyone else traveling during this.

 

[japanese maple]

Just flew Boston to Long Beach with a layover in Denver yesterday. We were an hour delayed leaving Denver. Don't know the details but I do know the delay was due to an air traffic controller "staffing issue" in Burbank. Flights all over the west coast were delayed so they could shuffle operations to other airports and keep Burbank open.

LSS - it was an hour delay for us, a couple of hours if you were flying to Burbank. I would not re-schedule your travel, but I would count on some delays. YMMV as always.

We don't go until 10/28. Part of me is hoping next week is bad enough that it forces them to end shutdown like last time. They say next week is when everyone misses their first paycheck. Yeessh, I wouldn't want to work either.

Leaving first flights of the morning, we can handle an hour or so delay if that's the worst of it.

 

[hardcorestitch]

The government’s a platypus… and they caused flights to now get delayed! Start getting used to hearing that dreaded “d” word when you fly… those ATC guys not being here are like pulling the plug on life support. Wouldn’t be shocked if hundreds of Disney visits get outright scrubbed

 

[gottalovepluto]

The government’s a platypus… and they caused flights to now get delayed! Start getting used to hearing that dreaded “d” word when you fly… those ATC guys not being here are like pulling the plug on life support. Wouldn’t be shocked if hundreds of Disney visits get outright scrubbed

I would. I think folks just need to plan on increased delays like the Burbank thing referenced above. It's not gonna be fun flying for the next few weeks- but it's not some hundreds of Disney visits getting cancelled situation as the economy grinds to a halt and flights are cancelled en masse because civilian atc walked out. Military atc has been used before.

 

[hardcorestitch]

I would. I think folks just need to plan on increased delays like the Burbank thing referenced above. It's not gonna be fun flying for the next few weeks- but it's not some hundreds of Disney visits getting cancelled situation as the economy grinds to a halt and flights are cancelled en masse because civilian atc walked out. Military atc has been used before.

This administration is a whole different animal that doesn't care about others. This isn't your father's government shutdown. What happened in the past won't happen now.