The number of flight delays rose to more than 6,000 on Thursday as a government shutdown paralyzed air traffic across the country.

On Friday evening, airports in Phoenix, Houston and San Diego reported delays due to staffing issues, and the Federal Aviation Administration warned that staffing issues are also possible at airports in the New York, Dallas and Philadelphia area.

A day earlier, flights were delayed at LaGuardia Airport in New York, Newark Airport in New Jersey and Reagan National Airport in Washington due to illness. Air traffic controller shortage. The number of flights delayed for any reason nationwide rose to 6,158 on Thursday from hovering around 4,000 the previous day of the week, according to FlightAware.com.

Many FAA facilities are so short on controllers that even just a few absences can cause disruptions, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said more air traffic controllers have begun calling in sick since the shutdown began. Early in the lockdown period, there were a number of disruptions at airports across the country, but over the past two weeks, there haven’t been many problems.

The disruptions and delays will get worse next week after payday arrives on Tuesday and “their paycheck will be a big zero,” Duffy said. He said supervisors tell him they are worried about how to pay their bills and are frustrated by the closure.

“I think the level of pressure that our controllers are under now is unacceptable,” he said at a news conference on Friday at the Philadelphia airport.

Duffy said the closure has real consequences, with some students at the Control Academy already deciding to give up the profession because they don’t want to work a job they won’t get paid for.

This will make it difficult for the FAA to hire enough controllers to eliminate the shortage, because training takes years. He said the government was only a week or two away from running out of money to pay the salaries of students at the academy.

“We’re getting word now from our academy in Oklahoma City that some of our young controllers at the academy and some of those who have earned spots in the next class of the academy are going to bail. They’re leaving,” Duffy said. “They ask themselves, why would I want to pursue a career where I can work hard and potentially not get paid for my services?”

Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick Daniels joined Duffy. He said some observers have already taken on second jobs in delivery DoorDash Or driving for Uber to earn cash to help them pay their bills while the lockdown continues.

“As this shutdown continues, and air traffic controllers are not getting paid for the vital work they do day in and day out, it creates unnecessary distraction,” Daniels said. “They can’t focus 100% on their jobs, which makes this system less safe. Every day that this shutdown continues, we will be less safe tomorrow than today.”

Airlines and airports across the country have begun purchasing meals for observers and helping them connect with food banks and other services to help them get through the shutdown.

The biggest concern is for new proctors who may be making less than $50,000, but even experienced proctors who make more than six figures while working six days a week may live paycheck to paycheck without much support in their budgets. Daniels said it’s not fair that probationers face impossible choices about whether to pay for rent, childcare or groceries.

Air traffic controllers are misusing their sick time during the shutdown, Duffy said can be launched.

It was Republicans and Democrats Unable to reach an agreement To end the lockdown that began on October 1. Airlines and major unions across the industry have urged Congress to make a deal to end the shutdown.

Airline Pilots Association President Capt. Jason Ambrosie said in a letter to his members that he is concerned about air traffic controllers and other federal employees.

“The safety of millions of passengers and tens of thousands of tons of cargo is in the hands of these workers. Worrying about how to make their mortgage payments or pay for daycare is additional stress they don’t need,” Ambrosie said.

Rep. Sam Graves, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, urged Democrats to support the GOP bill to fund the government to help ensure the safety of the flying public.

“Our aviation system has operated safely throughout the shutdown, but it places incredible and unnecessary stress on the system, on our air traffic controllers, flight crews, and many other aviation professionals,” said Graves, a Republican from Missouri.

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Associated Press airline and consumer travel reporter Ryo Yamate contributed to this report.