The Boeing 737 MAX 8 which carried an almost fatal accident on the Southwest Airlines Flight WN425, bound toward Columbus and Tampa, has caused a heavy squee back into the frightening debate surrounding aviation security and supervision in the United States.

Staffing shortages for air traffic controllers accounted for about 5% of flight delays before the shutdown. It now accounts for about 53% of delays.

With around 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA agents working without pay, airports from Los Angeles to Chicago are beginning to feel pressure from staffing gaps.

Fifteen days after the federal government shutdown began, Miami International Airport had so far escaped any impact, Aviation Director Ralph Cutié said last week while warning that during a longer shutdown impacts would surely come.

Crime crackdown: The president touted a federal court’s ruling that clears the way for his administration to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, saying demonstrations in the city are “like an insurrection,” despite reports to the contrary. Oregon, with Portland, is pushing for an appeals court to reconsider the ruling.

A ground stop was issued at Chicago O'Hare Airport due to an equipment outage late Saturday morning, the Federal Aviation Administration's website said.

When a government shutdown drags on, paychecks stall, but essential workers still show up. This week, one national chain stepped in with something simple: dinner on the house. TGI Fridays is comping select meals for federal aviation employees while Congress hammers out the details.