Frustration is growing among air traffic controllers in New York City and around the country as the government shutdown stretches into a third week. 

Members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) handed out flyers Tuesday morning at airports across the country, including LaGuardia Airport in Queens. They said it’s part of an awareness campaign, warning travelers the shutdown is putting pressure on staffing and safety. 

Union says shutdown is making staffing shortage worse

Tuesday was the first day since the shutdown began that they started receiving partial paychecks. If the shutdown continues, they said they could soon have to work without pay at all, causing added stress and safety concerns. 

The NATCA, the union representing nearly 20,000 air traffic controllers, distributed a leaflet at LaGuardia and several other airports. The flyers warn that the government shutdown is making an already bad nationwide air traffic controllers staffing shortage even worse. 

NATCA says, during the last shutdown, many controllers worked second jobs to cover their bills, leading to exhaustion. The union also says the shutdown has halted training, suspended airworthiness directives and delayed maintenance and modernization projects that keep the national air space system safe. 

“This is the first day people are receiving a partial paycheck from the shutdown. It’s more of a stress on the individual, because the job is stressful enough as it is, that now you’re adding this factor of, hey, when am I getting that next pay check?” air traffic controller Ray Dahlstrom said outside LaGuardia. 

Air traffic controllers are considered essential federal employees, which means they must keep working even as their pay is cut in half as of Tuesday. They say they’re still doing their best. 

“The towers are staffed. The facilities are staffed. Doing our best to keep everybody safe,” Dahlstrom said. 

“Before the shutdown, air traffic controller shortages drove about 5% of delays. Now, 53%,” Rep. Josh Gottheimer said. “Last week, 12 FAA facilities were understaffed. Staffing has been getting worse, creating more delays for travelers.” 

Impacts of the shutdown on air travel

Travelers CBS News New York spoke with say they haven’t seen a major impact yet from the shutdown, but some said it’s only a matter of time. 

“I think it’s unfair. I think it’s kind of stupid that disagreements cause so many things and affect so many people,” said a traveler at the airport.

CBS News New York reached out to the Federal Aviation Administration. A spokesperson wrote “due to a lapse in funding, the FAA is not responding to routine media inquiries,” though the statement did add “there have been increased staffing shortages across the system. When that happens, the FAA slows traffic into some airports to ensure safe operations.” 

“We ask that everybody get out and speak to their congressman, representative. Let them know,” Dahlstrom said. 

A Transportation Security Administration spokesperson said screening continues nationwide but an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times for passengers. 

Air traffic controllers are federal employees and legally barred from walking off the job. 

So far, there’s no timeline for a deal to end the shutdown.