More than 40% of TSA officers at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport called out of work recently, contributing to significant delays at three major U.S. airports. This surge in absenteeism stems from an ongoing government shutdown that has left many workers unpaid.
At Louis Armstrong New Orleans International, nearly 36% of TSA staff were absent, while Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport reported over 34% absenteeism. Cameron Cochems, a TSA officer in Boise, Idaho, expressed frustration, saying, “Morale is getting worse every day, and it’s impacting travelers.”
Long waits in security lines have become common. Many TSA employees missed their first paycheck during the shutdown, leading to a notable increase in unscheduled leave.
The situation in Washington remains stagnant, preventing necessary funding for the TSA and the Department of Homeland Security. Sen. Markwayne Mullin highlighted the urgency at his confirmation hearing, stating, “We must get DHS funded. Partisanship must be set aside.”
Passengers are feeling the impact. In Philadelphia, three out of six TSA checkpoints were closed recently, leading to longer waits. One traveler described arriving at the airport hours early for a short flight, illustrating the chaos unfolding.
If the call-out rate continues to rise, Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl warned that airports may face closures. “This is a serious situation,” he said.
According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, government shutdowns have consistently resulted in increased anxiety among federal workers, impacting not only morale but also productivity. As the situation evolves, it’s clear that both employees and travelers are facing significant challenges.
For more information on the ongoing government shutdown and its effects, you can refer to this CBS News article.
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