TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The ongoing government shutdown, now approaching a full month, has left thousands of air traffic controllers across the United States without their first paycheck as of Tuesday.

“We don’t want to seek other employment; our focus is on coming to work and ensuring the safety of travelers, whether they’re heading out on vacation or for business,” expressed Matthew Chapman from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). “We hoped for a quicker resolution and didn’t expect to miss a paycheck.”