Can air traffic controllers keep calm and carry on — without pay?

This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money, co-hosted by Wailin Wong and Steven Basaja, discusses the impact of a government shutdown on the U.S. economy and federal workers. With the Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report unavailable due to the shutdown, the hosts cite data from ADP and Revelio Labs, which show differing figures for job growth in October. The episode focuses on the critical role of air traffic controllers, who are deemed essential and must work without pay during the shutdown. Political science professor Sarah Binder explains how air traffic delays become a public pressure point, influencing lawmakers to resolve shutdowns. An air traffic controller, Nicholas Matthews, shares his experience of working under stress and financial uncertainty, highlighting the existing shortage of controllers and the added anxiety of lost income.