You Thought Thursday’s Problems at MCO Were Bad, Transportation Secretary Warns Your Trip to Disney World Is About To Get Much Worse

On Thursday, guests trying to get to/from Disney World realized just how impactful the government shutdown is about to get. Three major U.S. airports, Orlando International, Reagan National in Washington, D.C., and Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, were all forced to issue ground stops due to a lack of air traffic controllers. On average, those three airports saw delays of around three hours, with some reaching as much as 12 hours.

As the government shutdown enters its second month, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that things are going to get much worse in the coming days. Duffy said, “Every day there are going to be more challenges.”

The FAA warned that airports across the country were facing massive delays due to worker shortage, including Boston, Phoenix, San Francisco, Nashville, Houston, Dallas, the Washington, D.C. area, and airports serving the New York City area — John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport.

The airports serving the New York City area are among the most important for Disney World guests, as New Jersey Teachers’ Weekend, a traditionally busy time for Disney World travel, is approaching next weekend. With those airports facing an average of two-hour delays, travel to Disney World this week will be tricky.

According to the FAA, 90 percent of the air traffic controllers at the New York airports “are out,” and half the nation’s airports are facing significant staffing shortages. Air traffic controllers are now being forced to work “mandatory overtime,” while working six days a week. All of that is being done without those controllers receiving a paycheck.

Working overtime and six days a week leaves little time for these air traffic controllers to work second jobs to pay for items like food, gas, and mortgage/rent. The air traffic controllers have now missed their first full paycheck.

“For this nation’s air traffic controllers, missing just one paycheck can be a significant hardship, as it is for all working Americans. Asking them to go without a full month’s pay or more is simply not sustainable,” Nick Daniels, president of NATCA, said in a statement.

For Disney World travelers, this adds a level of uncertainty to their trips. Guests should arrive at the airport early and check in with their carrier before departure to ensure their flight is on time. However, as the shutdown continues to drag on, these flight issues are only going to get much worse.

What have your experiences been like at the airport during the shutdown? Let us know in the comments.