Long security lines form at airports as TSA agents miss first full paycheck amid DHS standoff
Long security lines form at airports as TSA agents miss first full paycheck amid DHS standoff
On Sunday, lengthy queues stretched across the domestic terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, causing delays for travelers. The congestion came just days after TSA agents faced their first unpaid paycheck due to the Department of Homeland Security’s ongoing funding crisis. At the airport, parallel lines formed as passengers navigated through security checkpoints, with digital signs indicating wait times ranging from four minutes for TSA PreCheck users to over an hour at the main area.
Despite the delays, most travelers remained composed. Hartsfield-Jackson, a major hub for Delta Air Lines, typically handles vast numbers of passengers daily. Laronda Monteiro, an Atlanta resident, arrived three hours early for her flight to New Orleans, stating it was worth the effort. “I know we have to be secure, and I just appreciate those who are still with TSA, remaining on the job,” she said, emphasizing her support for the agency’s efforts.
“I can wait for the safety and security.”
Morgan Young, returning to Washington, described the disruptions as frustrating. Normally using CLEAR, a private security service costing around $200 per person, she found the option unavailable on Sunday. “It’s stressful, honestly,” Young remarked. “I feel like Atlanta airport runs as smooth as possible, but it is stressful for sure. And more stressful for the people who aren’t getting paid and are at work.”
“I don’t love” the travel disruptions
Ezer Gill, waiting to pass through security before heading home to Fort Lauderdale, expressed disappointment. “Air travel is an essential part of how our country operates, and if we can’t get to where we need to go, it’s going to affect a lot of people,” he said. “It’s affecting me and a lot of the other people, I’ve heard.”
Political delays and TSA’s financial strain
Democratic lawmakers have stalled Republican proposals to fund DHS, citing concerns about the agency’s management of immigration enforcement. Funding for DHS expired on February 13, and Democrats are pushing for reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection before approving a new appropriation bill. TSA workers, classified as essential employees, have been working without full pay since the shutdown began. They received a partial paycheck following the crisis and missed their first full payment on Friday.
More than 300 TSA staff have resigned since February, according to the agency. Similar scenes unfolded at airports in Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, Austin, and Chicago. Online videos captured extended waits at major hubs, including a TikTok post from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport showing a winding queue at 2 a.m. The poster, who arrived four hours early, still missed her 2:30 a.m. flight.
Some commenters reported improvements later Sunday morning, aligning with updates from Austin’s airport, which noted the lines had eased by midday. In Chicago, a video from O’Hare International Airport showed a security line looping back on itself three times, with the poster claiming it took roughly two hours to process.
TSA’s call for resolution
TSA acknowledged the long wait times on Saturday, urging Democrats to end the partial shutdown. “A $0 paycheck for those continuing to serve,” the agency wrote on X. “Enough is enough. No more playing politics with the lives of Americans.”
A DHS spokesperson did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment on Sunday. Anthony Riley, 58, who has continued working at Syracuse Hancock International Airport during the shutdown, voiced fears of homelessness if the situation persists. “The problem is that my credit rating was wrecked by the last government shutdown,” he told NBC News last week, highlighting his financial struggles.