Squawk Pod Big Tech’s Big Challenges & Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy 11/3/25
Nov 3, 2025
Join Sean Duffy, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, as he reveals the ongoing fallout from the government shutdown affecting air travel and staffing shortages among air traffic controllers. He discusses the tough choices ahead for federal workers facing pay delays. Tim Wu, a Columbia Law Professor and former competition advisor, shares his insights on big tech's concentrated power and the urgent need for policies that foster competition, especially in AI, to combat China's tech dominance.
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Shutdown Risks Air Traffic Staffing
- The government shutdown is causing cascading operational and staffing shortfalls across air traffic control and FAA functions.
- Secretary Sean Duffy warns missed paychecks will force controllers to quit or take second jobs, worsening a 2,000–3,000 controller shortage.
Use Legal Flexibility To Keep Services Running
- Use every legally available funding tool to keep core FAA operations running during a shutdown.
- Secretary Duffy says they pay academy stipends and maintain essential air services within legal constraints.
Delays Reduce But Don’t Eliminate Risk
- Reduced flight schedules keep the system operating but introduce new safety risk vectors when staffing is thin.
- Duffy says slower traffic and cancellations mitigate risk but having controllers do multiple roles increases system risk.
