WACO, Texas — On day 24 of the partial government shutdown, thousands of federal workers received paychecks for no money, but still report to work.
Two workers out of Waco Regional Airport said not getting paid is frustrating, but shutdowns can actually have a much longer lasting impact in their job field.
"I've been kind of preparing for this, but hoping that it never happens, but unfortunately we are in this situation now," Airway transportation safety specialist Timothy Lindsey said.
Lindsey said it was a gut check when he got the first check since the partial government shutdown, with three zeroes in the upper corner.
Air traffic control specialist Glenn Guilbert said he felt the same way.
"It shouldn't be part of the job. It shouldn't be an expectation on any job." he said.
Despite not getting paid, both men still head into work at Waco Regional Airport.
"If we're not showing up to work and making sure this equipment is running at the optimum level, then it could lead to death or injury," Lindsey said.
Both men work in two technological positions, and they're both vital for the airport.
"It can be a stressful job and for us to be worrying about our paycheck in the back of our mind while we are dynamically working these planes is concerning," Guilbert said.
These jobs require months of training, which completely halts during a shutdown.
"25 percent of our current control areas here are in training," Guilbert said.
"It takes a long time to get trained and certified to be able to do the jobs that we do and that's why there is not that many of us," Lindsey said.
When the training stopped, a domino effect started.
"We're still feeling the impacts from all the previous shutdowns, even the one earlier this year." Lindsey said.
Both men said they should be financially okay for the near future.
"I guess I've kind of learned to accept that is part of the job that any given time you might not get paid," Guilbert said.
They agree it's time to end this 24-day-streak.
"We want the shutdown to end. We want to go back to work. We want to get paid," Lindsey said.