I only find it unusual because it was at DCA and then, only because of the paranoia in DC. If the ATCO fell asleep at, say, KPNS, landing and this story wouldn't be in the Pensacola news, let alone the NY Times.
Potomac probably will be criticized for not clearing them over to KIAD. Hell, during the PATCO strike, KLGA wax operated as an uncontrolled airport. The silliness of the NYT article is that pilots cannot land a plane without a controller's guidance or even find a gate.
Agree with that
sevenstrokeroll 
GF