"Los Angeles is the new Detroit" - Internet reacts to Burbank Airport in California having zero air traffic controllers due to government shutdown

The Hollywood Burbank Airport in Los Angeles reportedly had zero air traffic controllers due to a staffing shortage because of the recent government shutdown in the United States. According to The Guardian, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the California airport was expecting zero air traffic controllers in its tower between 4:15 pm and 10 pm PT on October 6, 2025.Air traffic controllers are required to work despite the government shutdown, as they are considered essential personnel, but they will not be paid for their work. In a press conference at the Newark Liberty International Airport on October 6, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said an increasing number of staff have called out sick since the government shutdown, saying:“So now what they think about as they’re controlling our airspace, is, ‘How am I going to pay my mortgage? How do I make my car payment?’ Do I think they’re more stressed right now in our towers? Yes. Is our airspace unsafe? No.""So we’re tracking sick calls, sick leave, and have we had a slight tick up in sick calls? Yes, and then you’ll see delays that come from that. If we have additional sick calls, we will reduce the flow consistent with a rate that’s safe for the American people.”News of Hollywood Burbank Airport having zero air traffic controllers on Monday was met with varied reactions from netizens on X. One user likened Los Angeles to Detroit, saying:"Los Angeles is the new Detroit."N R D @youknownenoLINK@DramaAlert Los Angeles is the new Detroit.Several netizens wondered how the government shutdown was affecting the air traffic controllers, despite them being marked as essential workers.Hineycoin @hineycoinLINK@DramaAlert I thought these were mission critical / essential jobs not affected by the shutdown? No?𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖓𝖙. @ev1dentLEELINK@DramaAlert How tf are air traffic controllers not essential workersRuglabok @RuglabokLINK@DramaAlert Flight Operations will be suspended at some point. You telling me planes are playing chicken when they land here.Others described the situation as "embarrassing," calling the United States a "deeply unserious country."S. C. @SRC692LINK@DramaAlert Yet another sign we live in a deeply unserious countryburna @1uppTopkLINK@DramaAlert Government shutdown is embarrassingMeanwhile, a few seemed to make light of the situation, comparing the US government shutdown to the political instability in France.AtomicLC @atomiclc12LINK@DramaAlert In France, we've had no clear government for months. No bills ever pass budget hasn't been voted on, and the people have been left to their own and we're doing just fine ?! Why in America does the whole place go in a panic ?!777🇮🇱🇧🇩🇺🇸 @LetsBacoLINK@DramaAlert Boohoo p*ssy a** pilots god gave you two eyes just look out the window it ain’t like you flyin the spirit of St. LouisCalifornia's governor blamed Donald Trump for the situation at the Hollywood Burbank AirportGavin Newsom, California's governor, has been vocally critical of Donald Trump and his administration since the president's inauguration in January 2025. Following the news of the lack of air traffic controllers at the Hollywood Burbank Airport, Newsom took to social media to blame Trump for the situation, writing:"Thanks, @realDonaldTrump! Burbank Airport has ZERO air traffic controllers from 4:15pm to 10pm today because of YOUR government shutdown."The FAA announced that the shortage of air traffic controllers has resulted in flights being delayed for an average of one hour and 51 minutes as of 5:30 pm PT. The Southern California Tracon (Terminal Radar Approach Control) reportedly guided aircraft for landing and takeoff due to the unmanned air control tower at Hollywood Burbank Airport.The American Airlines ticket counter stands empty at Hollywood Burbank Airport on October 6, 2025 (Image via Getty)According to the Guardian, the staffing shortage has also affected airports across Newark, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Denver. Due to the government shutdown, the air traffic controllers argoverne expected to miss their first paycheck on October 14, 2025. During his recent press conference, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy theorized that some workers might have taken their sick leave to find employment in companies like Uber "to make the difference." However, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association union reminded workers that “participating in a job action could result in removal from federal service.”“It is more important than ever that we rise to the occasion and continue delivering the consistent, high-level of public service we provide every day. We cannot stress enough that it is essential to avoid any actions that could reflect poorly on you, our union, or our professions," the union added.The government shutdown in the United States began on October 1, 2025, after Democratic and Republican lawmakers failed to agree on a bill funding government services from October 2025, per the BBC.