Air traffic controllers warn of 'tipping point' as U.S. government shutdown drags on

For many travelers, the nation's airspace was a scary place to be on Halloween.

The Federal Aviation Administration was forced to delay flights across the U.S. because of staffing shortages at dozens of air traffic control facilities, making for one of the most difficult days to fly since the government shutdown began five weeks ago.

“What you're seeing is a lot of people who are truly having to call in sick to go earn money elsewhere,” said one air traffic controller who works at a facility in the Midwest that handles high-altitude traffic. “I think you're also seeing people who are just calling in sick because they're fed up and they're like, ‘well, I'm going to spend the holiday weekend with my kids for once.’”

The government shutdown is taking a growing toll on air traffic controlle