Marketplace Morning Report No shutdown relief for air travel yet
4 snips
Nov 11, 2025 
Peter Atwater, a behavioral economist and author known for his work on consumer confidence and the 'K-shaped' economy, joins the discussion on the impact of the government shutdown on air travel. Despite the Senate passing a deal, air travel remains disrupted due to staffing shortages and controller fatigue. Atwater sheds light on the widening economic divide, highlighting how white-collar workers’ confidence has rebounded while lower-income households struggle with inflation and financial strain, exposing the persistent K-shaped recovery in today's economy.
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Shutdown End Won't Instantly Fix Flights
- The government moving to end the shutdown hasn't eased air travel disruptions immediately.
- Flight reductions and cancellations continue because controllers are unpaid and fatigued, worsening daily.
Controller Union Leader Describes Strain
- Nick Daniels, president of the controllers' union, describes controllers worrying about bills and taking second jobs.
- He says that each unpaid day deepens fatigue and safety concerns among controllers.
K Captures Divergent Post‑Pandemic Recovery
- The K-shaped economy maps divergent recoveries in confidence and outcomes across groups.
- White-collar workers' confidence and asset values rose while lower-income workers faced deteriorating finances and higher costs.
