FAA Furloughs Causing Big Backups at LAX

The Federal Aviation Administration stated Monday that they have no choice but to furlough 47,000 employees of their agency.

Every other week, employees will lose a day of work due to budget cuts. In order to not overload the air traffic controllers that are working, planes will be expected to depart and arrive less frequently. 

Although the budget cuts may be necessary, many in the industry are not pleased with this decision. 

Former United Airlines captain and CEO of Aero Consulting Experts, Ross Aimer, thinks that this decision is "almost like cutting the water system for people."

"Certain things you cannot cut," Aimer argued. "The air traffic controllers are essential to air safety." 

Apart from safety concerns, this choice is likely to infuriate customers, which may lose airline business. Due to the air traffic controller furloughs under the sequestration, there have been extreme delays at the airports in the Southland and around the nation.

"Let's say you're going from LAX to New York and flights are delayed for two to three days," added Aimer.  "People are sleeping in the airport, and that's exactly what is going to happen." 

In fact, it is already happening.  There are long lines of unhappy travelers at LAX. Airtran passenger Brandon Cooper says that "this is probably the worst airport experience in my entire life. One line after another, all of them slow."  

Another Airtran passenger, Andrew Brandt, is also not afraid to show his irritation.

"I think they are already strapped for manpower on everything that they have to do," Brandt stated. "I understand that it's for our security, but to some extent it butts into our comfort and makes everybody else's lives very inconvenient."