Wyoming Travel Effected By FAA Controler Cutbacks

The Federal Aviation Administration has announced that it will reduce air traffic by 10% at 40 busy airports. This is to keep the national airways safe during the government shutdown, which has now begun its 37th day as of November 6th.

Air traffic controllers, who are required to work without pay, are feeling the squeeze.
2025 government shutdown. Some have had to "call in sick" while they take other jobs to pay their bills.

40 "high-volume markets" will see air travel scaled back beginning on Friday. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told reporters the agency wants to reduce the pressure at those airports before safety is compromised.

"We just can't ignore it," Bedford said, "when the early indicators are telling us we can take action today to prevent things from deteriorating."

So, how does this affect travel in and out of Wyoming?

If your Wyoming flight goes to Denver, and most do, you can expect some delays once you get there for your changeover.

Those markets affected have not been named yet, but Denver is one of the busiest in the nation, so it is sure to be on the list.

Don't expect too much in delays at Wyoming airports. Expect them once you arrive at those major hubs.

Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy say they would meet with airline leaders to figure out how to implement the reductions fairly before announcing the details.

The drawback is happening. How it will be implemented is now being figured out.

As of the posting of this article, the Federal Government shutdown has been going on for over a month.

Employees at many vital positions continue to work without pay.

Wednesday afternoon in Casper, Wyoming, flight instructors from Atlas Flight School walked from the school over to the tower to meet their local air traffic controllers. They came bearing gifts. The flight school owner, Mike McKenna, had arrived with a trunk full of food from Olive Garden

It's a thank you to those tower operators who have stayed on the job, without pay, all this time.

The Casper/Natrona County International Airport can get busy at times with planes, students, and instructors from flight schools, regional airliners, and general aviation flights, an aerial firefighting base, and hospital life flights. It can become a real hornet's nest of activities in the skies above. Add to it all, this tower is a training ground for new air traffic controllers.

Even before that, the tower has been understaffed for over two years, with full-time employees working 10-hour days, six days a week.

Buying the controller's lunch might be a small gesture, but it goes a long way in showing how much Atlas Flight School appreciates the dedication of those in the tower who they hear in their headsets every day, but rarely see.

At least 700,000+ federal employees have been furloughed.

Below, Mike McKenna and his flight instructors from Atlas Flight School are with air traffic controllers and Wyoming radio talk host Glenn Woods.

Bills, including rent and utilities, are coming due as the shutdown continues.

Yet many federal employees have stayed on the job knowing that what they do is important and that, sooner or later, the government will reopen and they will be paid.

The photo below is a mix of air traffic controllers and flight school instructors out in front of the tower at the Casper airport. 

Atlas Flight School trains for general aviation and those interested in making a career as a professional pilot. If you've ever been curious about aviation for your own personal adventures or as a profession, book a discovery flight. It's worth it.

Atlas Aero Service provides Certified Aircraft Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair in Casper, Wyoming, also located at the Casper-Natrona County International Airport.