As the federal closure spread to the second week, unpaid TSA agents are increasingly calling for a sick airport operation and drowning. With the growing incident in various locations, the TSA has stopped temporary updates to the website and waiting time for its application. With Tasks that go beyond just to filter items carryTSA officials are scheduled to receive a partial salary on Friday, October 10. If the closure continues, they will face their first paycheck on October 24.
TSA officers are considered important employees under the Federal Rules and are required to continue reporting to work during the expiry of federal financing. They will receive their refund after the financing financing ends. About 50,000 Transportation Safety Administration Officers are still required to report their duties during the closing.
The situation was uncomfortable voicing the government’s closure for 34 days from December 2018 to January 2019, when about 10% of TSA workers were called in pain due to financial difficulties, resulting in significant delays in security inspections at major US airports. During the last closing, forced to work without pay has led to an increase in absence and release from government services, according to former TSA officials.
Expect long airport security line as TSA agent calls ill
As the federal closure entered the second week, airports across the country faced staff challenges. Now, tourists should expect longer airport security lines, as TSA officials in several major airports continue to call for sickness.
On Monday, 50 of the 250 officers scheduled to work across the region covering seven Mid-Atlantic states and the Columbia District called Sick, with the same number reported on Tuesday.
At John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York -together -with Newark and Denver -about 400 TSA officers called over the weekend, according to Joe Shuker, Vice President of the AFGE Council 100, Union representing TSA workers.
Meanwhile, a Yarn reddit On this topic it has emerged with clear sympathy for the agents.
The higher number of TSA workers is expected to call for pain on peak trips such as Sunday, Thursday, and Monday. The agency told news that several airports have activated contingency plans and offer incentives, including free food vouchers and parking, to encourage employees to report work.
TSA officer as a federal worker
The average annual salary for TSA agents is $ 48,520, according to Labor Statistics Bureau. Shuker tells forbes That many members of the union are living a salary to pay their salaries.
“If you have children, mortgages, car payments, food bills -you cannot release checks,” Shuker said. “Our members are worried about how to pay for the care of children, wonder if they can save money by living at home with their children.”
During the closing, Shuker coordinated the local food bank to provide food for TSA employees at Philadelphia International Airport. “It is a blessing,” he said. Historically, tensions working during timely shutdowns have led to low -hearted reports and Increased absence Among TSA workers.
What to expect?
Big Calls -Supply can continue to cause airport security as the closure is dragged without sight. The notice on the MyTSA application, which tourists used to check the security waiting time, stated that it was “not actively managed” due to delays in federal financing, with similar messages found on the TSA website.
However, according to Department of Homeland Security The document, 58,488 of the 61,475 TSA employees will continue to work during the closure. Commercial flights will continue to operate, and flight workers are not expected to be affected.
The government’s closing of the country’s tourism industry is $ 1 billion a week. Geoff Freeman, Chief Executive Officer and president of the US Travel Association, calls it “unnecessary tensions on the federal travel workforce.”
The impact of air travel as a direct result of TSA mass pain has been ignored so far. For now, it’s a wait and watch situation.