Perfect attendance air traffic controllers receive $10,000 bonus payments

Hundreds of air traffic controllers and technicians who worked during the government shutdown will receive additional checks, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Brian Bedford announced Thursday.

the The Department of Transportation (DOT) said in a statement that 776 air traffic controllers and technicians will receive $10,000 for their “patriotic work ensuring the safety of the skies during the 44-day Democrat-imposed government shutdown.”

“These patriotic men and women did not miss a thing and kept the public safe during the lockdown,” Duffy said in a statement. “Democrats may not care about their financial well-being, but president Trump does.”

The minister added: “This award is an acknowledgment of their dedication and sincere appreciation for exerting their best efforts in serving the nation.”

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The Department of Transportation said checks will only be sent to workers who maintained perfect attendance during the latest shutdown, and that payments should arrive by Dec. 9, in time for the holidays.

“I am extremely proud and grateful to the air traffic personnel who worked through extraordinary operational challenges to keep the National Airspace System (NAS) operating safely during the longest government shutdown,” Bedford said in a statement. “Their dedication represents the highest levels of public service.”

The announcement came after President Donald Trump previously floated the idea of ​​rewarding controllers who stayed on the job, writing in a post on Truth Social last week, “For those air traffic controllers who were great patriots, and did not take any leave because of the ‘Democrat Shutdown Hoax,’ I will recommend a bonus of $10,000 per person for outstanding service to our country.”

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Air traffic controllers who worked throughout the government shutdown will receive checks for $10,000, Sean Duffy announced. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Trump added: “For those who did nothing but complain and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid in full, for the foreseeable future, I’m not happy with you.”

On November 13, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem distributed $10,000 reward checks to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston who continued to work during the shutdown.

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Transport Minister Sean Duffy announced that $10,000 checks will be given to air traffic controllers who worked during the government shutdown. (Eric Lee/Getty Images)

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.