ToplinePresident Donald Trump on Monday offered bonuses for unpaid air traffic controllers who did not miss work during the shutdown, but also suggested those who took time off should leave the profession without pay or severance.President Trump escalated pressure on air traffic controllers Monday as they face their second missed paycheck. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI)AFP via Getty ImagesKey Facts“All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!!” President Trump posted on Truth Social Monday morning, adding, “Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked.’” The post said controllers who “were GREAT PATRIOTS and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF” would be recommended for a $10,000 bonus, while those who “did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU.”Controllers who took time off during the shutdown “will have a negative mark, at least in my mind,” the President continued, suggesting they leave service in the near future “with NO payment or severance of any kind!” and would be replaced by “true Patriots.”Three air traffic controllers told Forbes that Trump’s threats would backfire and cause more of the workforce to leave, with one saying “almost everyone has taken some time off due to the sheer exhaustion of working 10-hour shifts, six days a week.”Air traffic controllers will miss their second full paycheck Tuesday.The FAA’s latest air traffic advisory issued at 10:40 a.m. EST Monday listed staffing alerts indicating insufficient personnel at 11 control facilities, including seven Terminal Radar Approach Controls (TRACONs), which guide arrivals and departures at multiple airports, as well as at airport control towers.Chief Critic“This is nuts!” Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., ranking member of the House committee on transportation and infrastructure, said in a statement, adding air traffic controllers “deserve our thanks and appreciation, not unhinged attacks on their patriotism.”How Many Air Traffic Controllers Have Missed Work During The Shutdown?The ongoing air traffic controller shortage, coupled with the government shutdown, has taken a toll on the 10,800-person controller workforce–which is smaller than it was during the last shutdown in 2018-2019. Last week, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administrator Bryan Bedford said 20% to 40% of controllers were not showing up for work on any given day during the shutdown. In addition, controllers are leaving the profession in record numbers. “I used to have about four controllers retire a day before the shutdown. I’m now up to 15 to 20 a day are retiring,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday. One air traffic controller at a large East Coast TRACON told Forbes that Trump is “poking the bear.” Another controller stationed in the Midwest said the President’s “false promises are not going to bring back those who already quit and would just push more out the door.”When Will Air Traffic Controllers Get Paid?After the shutdown ends. Like Transportation Security Administration screeners at airport security checkpoints, air traffic controllers are “excepted” from furloughs and work without pay during the shutdown. By law, they will have their back-pay restored after the funding lapse ends—although President Donald Trump has suggested on multiple occasions that might not happen. Air traffic controllers are scheduled to miss their second paycheck on Tuesday.Further Reading‘Hundreds’ More Air Traffic Controllers Could Quit Starting Friday—As Major Hubs Brace For Thousands Of Cancelled Flights (Forbes)