Travelers are facing the longest TSA wait times in history
NPR • • nation
Key Points:
- TSA is facing its longest wait times in 24 years due to the ongoing partial government shutdown, with some major airports experiencing waits exceeding four hours and employee absenteeism rates between 40% and 50%.
- The shutdown has resulted in TSA missing nearly $1 billion in paychecks, causing severe financial hardships for employees, including utility shutoffs, evictions, and some resorting to selling blood and plasma; over 480 employees have quit since the shutdown began.
- Assaults against TSA officers have increased by 500% during the shutdown, prompting the agency to pursue legal action, while understaffing may force the closure of smaller airports and hinder the agency's ability to prepare for upcoming major events like the FIFA World Cup.
- TSA Deputy Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill praised ICE agents for assisting at major airports, allowing TSA officers to focus on security duties, and urged the public for patience as officers continue working without pay to maintain travel safety.
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