Newark ATC says 'It is not safe. It is not a safe situation right now for the flying public. Don't fly into Newark.

[Dennis Donovan]

Shannon Watts
‪@shannonrwatts.bsky.social‬
"MSNBC's Tom Costello claimed Friday that an air traffic controller who works at Newark airport said, ‘It is not safe. It is not a safe situation right now for the flying public. Don't fly into Newark. Avoid Newark at all costs.’”

May 3, 2025 at 1:21 PM

"MSNBC's Tom Costello claimed Friday that an air traffic controller who works at Newark airport said, ‘It is not safe. It is not a safe situation right now for the flying public. Don't fly into Newark. Avoid Newark at all costs.’”

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts.bsky.social) 2025-05-03T17:21:10.264Z

[Bo Zarts]

1. As an airline pilot, I always hated Newark (EWR)

We always called it "Sew-ark," as in sewer.

[pdxflyboy]

2. Yup.

Same here.

[2naSalit]

4. I was trapped there...

Last year, for 27 hours! I hated that place with a flaming hot passion already, now I'll pay extra to avoid it if I ever fly again.

[ProfessorGAC]

8. Terrible Airport, Too

Used to fly into Newark because a customer's research center, and one if our manufacturing sites was nearby.
After a while, I flew into Philly & just drove further.
Newark is one of the worst airports I've ever been in.

[maspaha]

14. We were slightly more descriptive...

…EWR, where sewage meets the sea…

[Meowmee]

3. I have not flown for years

But was thinking to visit a friend in CA finally maybe this summer... ugh.. what a time.

[ananda]

11. I haven't either. And right now...

you couldn't pay me to get on a plane.

[Meowmee]

18. I have many reasons not to

However this may be my last chance to get to do that, go to CA, and there is no way I can drive there or take a train etc.

[ananda]

19. Well, you do what you have to do.

I'm a homebody anyway, since I still have
a ways to go with my diet and exercise
regime.

I'm even playing bridge online. In June
I plan to return to face to face and
tournament play.

[Meowmee]

20. That sounds like fun to play in person again 😁

It is a hard call to make because I hate to leave my cats, even with my brother, in case there is an emergency etc. And there are many other medical issues with flying for me as well.

[OrlandoDem2]

5. Another failure by Trump! It's the job of the president to keep airports functioning!

[Dennis Donovan]

6. Raw Story: Insider issues 'incredible' warning to avoid critical air hub 'at all costs' over safety

Raw Story - Insider issues 'incredible' warning to avoid critical air hub 'at all costs' over safety

Jennifer Bowers Bahney
May 2, 2025 2:32PM ET

MSNBC correspondent Tom Costello claimed Friday that an air traffic controller who "handles airspace" at the Newark, NJ, airport gave him some "rather concerning and startling information" about public safety.

"He said, It is not safe. 'It is not a safe situation right now for the flying public," Costello said. "Really an incredible statement, unsolicited. He just said that to me, and separately, 'Don't fly into Newark. Avoid Newark at all costs."

Costello said that there were about two-hour delays for planes coming into Newark on Friday following a week of major delays due to staffing issues.

"We've got a lot of problems going on," Costello said, including "equipment failures."

"They have lost both radios and radars this week," Costellos said. "And because of the stress, some controllers have walked off the job."

[link:?fbclid=IwY2xjawKDXTBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHo74FedjBNnVP7eiGsgfAzXPZv2b5eisQxKK-5WMNWp727Uhl-DA0qlEmsC8_aem_KbZduZx84xlmQ6M5FqHeTg|/snip]

[JustAnotherGen]

7. My husband flies out

The 16th to Europe. Shit.

[DFW]

12. I made a trip to the USA in April

Flew in to Washington (IAD), left from Dallas (DFW).

Luckily, no incidents. Nothing but horror stories since I got back, but that was all trains.

[Dave says]

16. What were the train issues?

My wife and I were thinking of taking a train into DFW this summer instead of a plane. We were going to do a sleeper car.

[DFW]

17. I didn't take any trains while in North America

But got back 4-5 hours late from Sprout City to D-Dorf on Tuesday, was 14 (!!!) hours late getting home from Paris at noon Thursday, should have been home at 10:00 PM Wednesday. Was late getting to Utrecht (NL) Friday, and train service was canceled to my town Friday as well as to my alternative station (Düsseldorf Airport) on the way back.

A rather crappy week for travel in all four countries (D-F-B-NL).

[Upthevibe]

9. Kick. N/T

[milestogo]

10. Sean Duffy, where are you?

[RJ-MacReady]

13. I'm flying out

To Las Vegas July 2nd.

[maspaha]

15. Privatize ATC!

Elon will fix it!

[Mountainguy]

21. You can see the delays and congestion

https://www.flightaware.com/live/airport/KEWR