TSA officers are finally getting their delayed paychecks as the prolonged shutdown continues, impacting the nation’s airports.
In Washington, frustrating security lines at U.S. airports decreased on Monday with TSA officers starting to receive backpay for their work during the government shutdown.
At Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, a four-hour checkpoint line was reduced to a wait of 10 minutes or less. While New York’s LaGuardia Airport experienced wait times exceeding two hours on Monday morning, other airports like Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport returned to normal wait times.
After weeks of airport chaos, there’s now optimism for the struggling aviation system. Weary travelers are hopeful that the overdue paychecks will improve security lines and prevent missed flights. However, it’s uncertain how long it will take for wait times to return to normal, especially with the ongoing spring break travel season.
TSA workers have started to receive some of their back pay, with the remaining expected by next week, according to the TSA union. Yet, the American Federation of Government Employees’ TSA chapter raised concerns about incorrect backpay amounts, including missing overtime and improper tax withholdings.
Furthermore, there were reports of TSA officers who couldn’t work without pay. The TSA updated its furlough policy to remove guidance that allowed officers to request a furlough if they couldn’t report to work due to shutdown-related reasons. This change forced some officers to leave TSA and prompted others to call out.
The DHS shutdown not only caused travel delays but also threatened airport closures as TSA workers missing paychecks stopped showing up for work. President Trump ordered the immediate payment of TSA officers to alleviate the airport lines but faced resistance from Democrats in Congress regarding additional funding.
The overall absentee rate among TSA officers has slightly decreased, but major airports like BWI, Houston’s airports, Louis Armstrong International Airport, and JFK International Airport still face elevated absences.
In light of the ongoing government shutdown, Congress is urged to approve funding for the entire Department of Homeland Security to ensure the smooth operation of the aviation system and the security of the nation’s airports.
