(WTAQ) — We’re approaching about one month of the ongoing federal government shutdown, and some airports across the U.S. are having to deal with fewer Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials; as they won’t be getting paid.
Democrats are refusing to fund the Department of Homeland Security until there are reforms made to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
However, both Appleton International Airport (ATW) and Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB) say all of their TSA employees have been reporting to work.
“We talk with out TSA supervisors every day. As of this morning, we have not had any call-offs,” said ATW director Abe Weber. “They are still coming to work, they are still assisting travelers, and they are still providing exceptional customer service.”
With the upcoming spring break travel season, both Weber and GRB director Marty Piette say they’re going to be busier and the lines may be longer; though that’s attributed to the popular travel time, not a TSA staffing shortage. They also both stress the importance of being kind and grateful to TSA employees for continuing to show up for work.
“They’re so committed in showing up to work here which is great, but it’s unfortunate that they have to do it without a paycheck,” said Piette. “And this weekend will be the first weekend with no pay at all.”
Both airports are providing support to TSA agents by setting up donation systems. Weber says that although they cannot accept monetary donations, they are happy to accept food, gift cards, and other essentials for their TSA workers while they go without pay.
Similarly, Piette says the Green Bay community has stepped up by offering lunches and starting a food pantry for their TSA workers.
Between this Thursday and Sunday March 29th, more than one-point-three million passengers are expected to pass through TSA checkpoints. The busiest days are expected to be March 13-15 and 20-22.
Some of the major U.S. airports experiencing delays include Houston Hobby, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Houston Bush. In some cases, passengers there have been advised to arrive 3-5 hours early.
