U.S. Airlines Donate Meals to TSA and Air Traffic Control Staff as Shutdown Drags On

As the U.S. government shutdown stretches into its fourth week, major airlines are stepping up to support the air traffic controllers, TSA agents, and other federal aviation employees who have now missed their first full paycheck. On October 28 — Day 28 of the shutdown — United, American, Delta, and JetBlue confirmed they are donating meals to affected workers nationwide, helping to ease financial strain while keeping morale up across the aviation system.

United Airlines announced it is providing meals to air traffic controllers and other federal employees at key hub airports including Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. “We appreciate the hardworking federal employees who are keeping the air travel system running safely and efficiently,” United said in a statement. “Providing meals is one small way we can express our gratitude during this challenging time.”

Delta Air Lines confirmed that it has “arranged for a limited number of meals for transportation sector workers,” including those employed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The airline emphasized that while flight operations remain unaffected, it recognizes the toll that unpaid labor is taking on essential personnel who ensure daily safety and security for millions of travelers.

American Airlines has launched a similar effort, donating meals to air traffic controllers, TSA officers, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at more than seven major airports across the country. At Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, American reportedly delivered “dozens of pizzas” to air traffic control staff as a token of appreciation and solidarity.

JetBlue Airways is also coordinating with federal partners to “offer meals at our airports as a gesture of support,” according to a statement shared with CBS News. The airline is working directly with TSA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and FAA offices at several of its focus cities.

For many federal aviation employees, the gesture offers a welcome boost amid mounting financial and emotional pressure. Air traffic controller Joe Segretto, who works at a regional radar facility directing aircraft across the New York metropolitan area, described the situation as increasingly stressful. “The pressure is real,” Segretto said. “We have trainees who are trying to learn a new, fast-paced and complex job — and now they also have to worry about how they’re going to pay their bills.”

Across the U.S., air traffic controllers are working without pay to maintain safety standards, while thousands of TSA officers, aviation inspectors, and technical support staff have been furloughed or recalled intermittently. The resulting strain has prompted growing concern about potential long-term effects on air travel safety and reliability if the shutdown continues.

Industry leaders say the airlines’ contributions highlight a shared recognition that aviation safety depends on these federal workers’ dedication — and that keeping them supported is vital to maintaining confidence in the U.S. air transportation system during one of the most disruptive government closures in recent history.


Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=FAA, https://airguide.info/?s=Delta+Air+Lines, https://airguide.info/?s=American+Airlines, https://airguide.info/?s=JetBlue, https://airguide.info/?s=United+Airlines

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, silive.com