Good news! The Government shutdown is finally over. It’s been a long 43 days for everyone in the travel industry but especially for those working for free like Air Traffic Controllers and TSA officers.
Airline CEO’s are taking a proactive approach to get the message out. Delta’s CEO went on CNBC earlier today (video embedded below the transcript) and had this to say about the Government shutdown: “The last week has been tough. At Delta, we had over 2,000 cancellations starting last Friday when we were mandated to begin pulling our schedule down. We also faced some serious ATC staffing shortages throughout the weekend.
To give you a sense of the impact, on Saturday afternoon a small thunderstorm came through Atlanta. The tower there reduced arrival rates to 20 per hour, which is comparable to a heavy snowstorm.
Because of staffing levels, operations were severely limited. Normally, that time of day would see around 80 arrivals per hour, but it was reduced to 20. That’s what drove many of the cancellations, and everything slowed down.
Yesterday was a much better day, and today started off well. Hopefully the vote occurs tonight, we get everybody back, people get paid, and by the weekend things should be in good shape.
I think we’ll be back to normal—or as close to normal as possible—by Friday or Saturday.”
@cnbc Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian said that coming off a “tough” week for the airline, air travel should be “close to normal” by this weekend, should the government shutdown end today. Watch more at the #linkinbio #CNBC ♬ original sound – cnbc
American’s CEO Robert Isom said in a statement posted on AA.com. “I am proud of how our team responded and remain truly grateful for the federal aviation workers who faced challenging conditions for weeks without pay, all to get our customers where they needed to go safely. Our goal throughout this has remained unchanged: take care of our customers and limit disruption to their travel plans as much as possible. We’re ready for business and looking forward to serving customers with a full schedule especially in advance of the Thanksgiving and year-end holidays.”
The moment the vote passed in The House, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman issued the following statement: “All government shutdowns are irresponsible—period. They jeopardize essential services, erode public confidence and inflict needless economic pain. If Congress ever goes down this foolish path again, essential federal workers—like air traffic controllers and TSA agents—must be paid without interruption. America cannot afford another self-inflicted crisis that threatens the systems millions rely on every day. This resolution restores stability to the people and systems that keep travel moving—but it must also drive long-term change. Congress should invest in the modern infrastructure, technology and workforce needed to keep America moving forward.” I agree wholeheartedly.
It’s still going to take sometime for the airlines to get back on schedule but I think Thanksgiving travelers will be fine as long as there aren’t any major storms. But either way, I still advise the tips to help make your trip smoother if you’re flying in the next couple of weeks:
1. Allow extra time
Arrive at the airport earlier than usual just in case there’s reduced staffing at security checkpoints.
2. Opt for nonstop flights
Connections increase the chance for delays. Choosing nonstop flights can help avoid cascading problems if one leg of your journey is disrupted.
3. Monitor your flights carefully
Airline apps and text alerts can keep you updated on delays or cancellations. Rebook quickly if needed before available options disappear. Having your airline’s customer service number handy is also useful. Many travelers also use TripIt Pro or the Flighty app for real-time updates.
4. Reserve a backup flight with miles
If you have important plans such as a wedding, cruise, or business meeting, consider flying a day or two early and booking a second flight on another airline or through a different hub. Using miles allows you to cancel without fees if your plans change.
5. Keep a flexible schedule
Avoid back-to-back commitments and add extra time between connections, meetings, or events. Traveling on less busy days like Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, or during off-peak hours between 11 am and 6 pm, can make the experience less stressful.
6. Pack for delays
Bring snacks, a water bottle to fill after security, a charger, medications, and something to keep you occupied. Including a change of clothes in your carry-on can make delays or lost luggage more manageable.
7. Be considerate of airport employees
Always be kind to TSA officers, gate agents, and flight attendants. They have stressful jobs, and a smile can go a long way—but a box or bag of chocolates will go even farther.
