‘We’re not just figures in this tall tower — we’re real people’: O’Hare controllers worry about shutdown, no pay

On any given day, air traffic controller Matt Ellington and his colleagues are calling the shots for hundreds of planes and thousands of passengers landing at O’Hare International Airport.

But now many federal employees, like the elite controller team at O’Hare’s main tower, have no control over their financial well-being amid a government shutdown.

“We’re regular American workers,” said Ellington of Round Lake, who was handing out information about the shutdown impact with co-workers Tuesday outside Terminal 2. “Most of us don’t have thousands and thousands of dollars just sitting around waiting for a government shutdown.

“We’ve got mortgages to pay, we’ve got kids to take care of, we’ve got groceries, day care expenses. We’ve got everything,” added Ellington, a member of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. “Just like everybody else walking into the terminals right now. The only difference is we’re coming to work and aren’t getting paid.”

Tuesday was the last payday for Ellington, who has four kids, two adult children, a high school senior and an eighth grader, and it was a partial check.

The shutdown started two weeks ago and Congress remains at an impasse. Democrats are seeking concessions on extending health care benefits and Republicans are pushing to reopen the government first.

“We’re here on our off-time, trying to bring awareness of the shutdown, and just keep the conversation going so we’re not forgotten,” Ellington said. “We’re not just figures in this tall tower. We’re not just voices on the radio. We’re real people.”

Cars honked and passengers encouraged NATCA members, like Hannah Cross.

The air traffic controller in-training moved from Michigan to the Naperville area to work at O’Hare.

“I love the work, I thrive on this type of job,” Cross said.

But with a 15-month-old to care for, the unexpected salary pause has been stressful.

“I’m spending a lot of my breaks talking with my creditors, hoping I can get my rent pushed back, hoping I can get my car payments pushed back,” Cross said.

NATCA members noted the shutdown is also impacting U.S. Transportation Security Administration workers at O’Hare and Midway. In addition, more than 2,300 Federal Aviation Administration professionals are furloughed, including aircraft certification engineers and aerospace engineers.

“We’re all in this together,” Ellington said. “They need to be back at work, too.

With the responsibility of shepherding O’Hare flights, adding any unnecessary stress to that is irresponsible, he said.

“It shouldn’t be happening.”