I can't speak to the first question, but as to the second, correct, US air traffic controllers are not currently being paid.

[1]: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/travel/shutdown-air-traff....

[2]: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/us/politics/shutdown-air-....

[3]: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/28/air-traffic-...