Maybe I'm missing something, but it seems like the FAA and industry are treating the number of flights as something outside their control. Is there a (verifiab

Maybe I'm missing something, but it seems like the FAA and industry are treating the number of flights as something outside their control. Is there a (verifiable) reason that a shortage of ATC personnel can't be resolved by any of the following? (a) Reduce flights and/or airport hours to a level that's safe with current staffing levels. (b) Increase ATC staff's pay and working conditions until there are enough staff to meet the (desired) amount of air traffic? (Edited for clarity.)