FAA Blames Flight Delays on Cuts, GOP Blames Politics

Bill Frezza, a policy analyst at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, said the delays represent a political calculation.

"I don't think there's any doubt right now that there's this attempt being made that we'll all be better off if we pay more taxes," Frezza said. "And directing these sequestration cuts where it causes the most pain is part of a strategy that's going to be playing out in the months ahead."

The Wall Street Journal noted, "Making smart choices about federal spending would spoil the fun of creating flight delays and then blaming Republicans."

What remains to be seen: just how fed up the public will become and what Americans will demand.