LANSING, Mich. — The National Air-Traffic Controllers Union said staffing is already dangerously low, and the shutdown is making it impossible to hire more air traffic controllers.
Scott Stephenson, an Oklahoma native, got a job as an Air Traffic Control Specialist at Capital Region International Airport in December 2018. He and his wife spent the little bit of savings they had, and moved to Lansing. Days later, the government shut down and Scott couldn't report to work.
"I currently have no income. The last couple of weeks, I moved back to Oklahoma to work a part-time job to make ends meet for now. I had to leave my wife and kid up here in Michigan," Scott said.
"I don't know how long we're going to be able to last or if anybody is going to be able to last that's not receiving their pay," said Mariedith, Scott's wife.
Larry Fischer, the union rep in Lansing for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is concerned about old equipment like their radar which can't be upgraded because of the shutdown.
"The technical people that take care of all this stuff, our maintenance, they're also affected by the shutdown. They're only allowed to do certain things. Some of this equipment may not be able to get serviced within the time frame it needs to which could lead to failures," said Fischer.
That means the airport may not be able to take in as many airplanes.
Fischer also said that he's considering taking up a second job at Lyft or Uber, but it's difficult to find extra time to meet his already busy schedule. There's also the concern that if employees find work elsewhere, they'll come to work tired and not mentally prepared.
While the union is worried about staffing nationwide, there aren't any traffic controller shortages at Capital Region International Airport. Safety for travelers continues to be a number one priority.
"We are lucky we have a really good support system. Our families have been able to help us out a lot," Mariedith said.
Scott recently returned to Lansing to try and find maintenance work at the airport. The family hopes the shutdown will end soon.
"Negotiate. There has got to be a way to end it."
Until the government opens back up, the Stephensons said they aren't sure if Scott will even get back pay.
A bill that would have re-opened the government and provided money for President Donald Trump's border wall failed in the US Senate Thursday.
