CEO Support
Hayes is not the only CEO that seems to understand that the situation is urgent, as the government now heads into its 35th day after the government shutdown. Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly has stated that his company has already lost $10 to $15 million since the shutdown. He also expressed his emotions regarding the shutdown, calling it a “crazy way to run our country.”
Kelly also was quick to show his support for federal employees and the fact that the majority were still working without getting paid. He stated: “My hat is off to all the federal workers that are showing up. They are heroic. They shouldn’t have to put up with this.” American Airlines CEO Doug Parker was more measured in his criticism, stating that it is much more of an efficiency issue than a safety issue. He told CNBC: “Our business is so careful about being safe, but it means longer lines at airports, it means less efficient travel through the airspace, and it’s just…it’s going to have a huge impact on air travel before too long.”
