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Philadelphia International Airport Air Traffic Controllers Receive First $0 Paychecks Amid Government Shutdown
You don't want a controller sitting in the control tower thinking about that while they're working your flight," ATC Charles Jacques said.
October 29, 2025
Air traffic controllers at Philadelphia International Airport said they're continuing to work long hours without pay as the federal government shutdown enters its fourth week.
Find out what's happening in Philadelphiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
On Tuesday, controllers received their first zero-dollar paychecks.
Charles Jaques, an air traffic controller who said he spends six days a week in the tower, said he and his colleagues are still trying to keep passengers safe under growing financial strain.
Find out what's happening in Philadelphiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"The air traffic controllers that are working the flights in and out of here on a daily basis are currently doing it without getting a paycheck," Jaques said. "I just worked 80 hours last week, and I received zero dollars in compensation."
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