Retired Eugene air traffic controller shares insight on staffing crisis, morale as government reopens episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 17, 2025 · 20 MIN

Retired Eugene air traffic controller shares insight on staffing crisis, morale as government reopens

from Think Out Loud

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history ended last Wednesday, but many federal workers, including air traffic controllers, are still waiting to receive full backpay. The government shutdown left roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers without pay for 43 days, leading many to take on second jobs. Many say the shortages during the government shutdown only amplified current issues caused by a long-term staffing shortage. Lyle Clingman, a retired air traffic controller from Eugene, joins us to share more about the long-term staffing shortage as well as the repercussions air traffic controllers faced during the recent government shutdown.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Nov 17, 2025

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Retired Eugene air traffic controller shares insight on staffing crisis, morale as government reopens

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