PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS ORDERED ALL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS TO “GET BACK TO WORK, NOW!!!"

HE POSTED ON TRUTH SOCIAL THAT HE WANTS TO GIVE A $10,000 BONUS TO CONTROLLERS WHO'VE STAYED ON THE JOB EVERY DAY DURING THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND DOCK THE PAY OF THOSE WHO HAVEN’T.

THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION HAS CUT FLIGHTS TO EASE PRESSURE ON CONTROLLERS, AND FRUSTRATION IS ONLY MOUNTING OVER THE GROWING NUMBER OF FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS DAILY ACROSS U.S. AIRPORTS.

SOME AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS — UNPAID FOR NEARLY A MONTH — HAVE STOPPED SHOWING UP, CITING THE ADDED STRESS AND THE NEED TO TAKE A SECOND JOB.

SOUNDBITE (English) Nick Daniels, National Air Traffic Controllers Association President:

“This is the erosion of the safety margin the flying public never sees but America relies on every single day."

AFTER A WEEKEND THAT SAW THOUSANDS OF FLIGHTS CANCELED, AIRLINES CANCELED ANOTHER 1,700 FLIGHTS BY EARLY MONDAY AFTERNOON AND NEARLY 1,000 FOR TUESDAY.

THE SENATE TOOK A FIRST STEP TOWARD ENDING THE SHUTDOWN SUNDAY, BUT FINAL PASSAGE COULD STILL BE SEVERAL DAYS AWAY.

TUESDAY WILL BE THE SECOND MISSED PAYDAY FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION.

IT'S UNCLEAR HOW QUICKLY THEY MIGHT BE PAID ONCE THE SHUTDOWN ENDS.