Government shutdown: Air traffic controllers miss first paychecks

U.S. air traffic controllers Tuesday missed their first full paychecks since the government shutdown began at the start of the month, while the Department of Transportation said flight delays due to staffing shortages have increased.

The controllers are facing increased financial stress and it's getting harder to recruit much-needed workers, union officials and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday. Air traffic controllers and airport security screeners are among the employees required to work during the shutdown as essential employees, even though they're not getting regular paychecks.

"The problems are mounting daily," said Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, at a news conference at New York's LaGuardia Airport.

The Federal Aviation