The Indicator from Planet Money Can air traffic controllers keep calm and carry on — without pay?
20 snips
Nov 7, 2025 
Nicholas Matthews, an air traffic controller at Savannah–Hilton Head International Airport and former Air Force controller, shares his gripping experiences during the recent government shutdown. He discusses the immense stress of maintaining calm communication while working without pay, the emotional toll of uncertainty, and the financial strain on controllers. Matthews emphasizes their vital role in safety and the challenges posed by understaffing in the FAA. He highlights the importance of resolving political stalemates for the sake of both controllers and public safety.
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Controllers Drive Political Attention
- Air traffic controllers become a political pressure point because visible airport delays create immediate public pain.
- That visibility often drives lawmakers to act faster than less visible federal problems.
Question Single-Cause Narratives
- Don't assume a single visible event is the sole cause of political outcomes.
- Consider how narratives about visible events, like air traffic delays, shape political decisions regardless of full causality.
The Controller Voice Matters
- Nicholas Matthews describes how controller voice and calm tone shape pilot responses and safety.
- He says maintaining a consistent, level tone prevents unnecessary questions and preserves authority on the frequency.