NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Airports are feeling the pinch from the government shutdown. Here in Nashville, you're still be able to get to your destination as scheduled. But that's because people like air traffic controller Chris Grimes continue to go to work.
The Transportation Security Administration reports that 10 percent of workers nationwide called out sick over the weekend.
“When that first paycheck was missed I think it made it real for even the folks that had been in it that long. (They thought) 'wow I just missed a paycheck,’” said Grimes, one of 26 certified air traffic controllers at BNA. He says he's been through shutdowns before but this time it feels different because of the high level of uncertainty.
Nashville International Airport says so far it hasn't seen any major impact to wait times or flight schedules, but staff know that could change any day.
Air traffic controllers work for the Federal Aviation Administration. But that's just one of three federal agencies that has employees vital to keep BNA running. TSA is the most visible, handling security. And U.S. Customs and Border protection staff clear every international passenger who lands at the airport.
Grimes says he’s luckier than many. He has savings and a strong family support system.
But in a growing city, with a tower already short by more than a dozen certified controllers, the uncertainty has him and others facing a decision they never wanted to make.
“I’m doing this because I wanted to retire doing this, but maybe I’m going to need to look at other options.”
He said if the shutdown stretches for another month and a half or more he will have to use the next weeks to begin searching for another line of work before he runs out of money entirely.
For now, he says he will continue to show up his usual six days a week, 10 hours a day to keep the air around Nashville safe. Though he's concerned after the Office of Personnel Management clarified Wednesday that federal workers can take "furlough hours" as time off, which won't count against their sick or vacation time.
Grimes, who is also the local union representative, says with that announcement he expects a lot more people to take days off, which could have a big impact on airports across the country. Including right here in Nashville.
