TAMPA, FL — In a post-shutdown recap that has left many Floridians wondering how the state continues to function at all, Tampa International Airport officials confirmed this week that during the federal government shutdown, all air traffic control responsibilities were temporarily handled by the staff of the Terminal C Chili’s.

“When the FAA went offline, we had to improvise,” said airport spokesperson Karen Morales. “We scanned the terminal for people who could handle chaos, angry customers, and back-to-back crises without blinking. Naturally, we ended up at Chili’s.”

For nearly two weeks, Chili’s shift manager Miguel Ramirez acted as Tampa’s chief air traffic controller from the hostess stand, using a bar headset, a walkie-talkie, and what coworkers described as “the kind of confidence only a man who has dealt with the drunk and jetlagged.”

“He landed a Southwest jet while shaking a margarita,” Morales recalled. “At one point he cleared two departures and still had time to cut off a drunk business traveler ordering shots at 10 a.m. It was impressive.”

Other Chili’s employees stepped into aviation support roles with similar enthusiasm. Hostess Ashley reportedly monitored ground radar using her cracked iPad Mini. A server named Jenna coordinated departure spacing while yelling, “Group B, back it up!” into a megaphone. Line cook Greg was seen guiding arriving aircraft with a pair of sizzling fajita skillets, which pilots later described as “surprisingly effective.”

Pilots said that while the system was wildly unorthodox, it ran more smoothly than expected.

“We radioed for landing clearance and heard someone say, ‘Hang on, babe, I gotta close a tab,’” said JetBlue captain Marcia Leary. “Honestly, it was the most honest communication I’ve ever had with an airport tower.”

Passengers reported hearing Chili’s staff use phrases like “you’re good,” “follow the one with extra guac,” and “don’t hit that Delta, he’s in my section” over official FAA channels.

Chili’s corporate later issued a statement clarifying that it “does not formally endorse employees directing commercial aircraft,” though it noted it was “very proud of Greg’s skillet technique.”

With FAA controllers now back on duty, the Chili’s staff has returned to regular restaurant operations, though Ramirez reportedly still keeps his aviation headset “in case Washington does this again.”

Airport officials said they hoped the episode would be remembered as a “unique moment in Tampa history,” and possibly a reminder of how thin the line is between order and whatever happened at Gate C37.

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