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The Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) has announced its support for National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) controllers, Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) professionals, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents, and other aviation workers who continue to work without pay during the government shutdown. Meanwhile, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operational staff remain furloughed.
According to ALPA's official post on X, the association highlighted that during a government shutdown, critical aviation professionals—including air traffic controllers represented by NATCA, technicians under PASS, and TSA agents—must continue working without pay while FAA support staff are furloughed. This situation underscores the strain federal funding lapses place on safety-critical personnel who ensure continued operations. The post also reinforces ALPA’s stance that maintaining safe skies depends on the collective commitment of all aviation workers across unions.
Aero Crew News reports that ALPA issued a statement emphasizing that furloughs disrupt FAA oversight, certification, and infrastructure modernization. It said that "excepted" employees like controllers and security agents must continue working without pay. The association warned these disruptions risk delaying safety initiatives and inspections vital to air travel reliability. Additionally, ALPA noted that contract negotiations are halted during shutdowns because the National Mediation Board suspends operations, compounding challenges for airline labor groups.
