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TSA Delays Loom as Airports Face Weekend Travel Surge

The partial U.S. government shutdown has caused critical TSA officer shortages, leading to security delays of up to four hours at major airports like Houston, New York, and Atlanta. With only half of security lanes operational in some locations, airports are reassigning staff and urging early arrivals. ICE agents have been deployed to help with crowd control and ID checks but cannot replace specialized screening duties. Unpaid TSA workers face dire financial crises, with many quitting or calling in sick. Congress must pass a funding bill before its recess to address the escalating airport security crisis.

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TSA Delays Loom as Airports Face Weekend Travel Surge

As the partial government shutdown persists, TSA officer shortages are causing severe security delays at major U.S. airports, with concerns that the crisis will escalate during the upcoming weekend travel rush.

Prolonged Delays Amid Funding Stalemate

  • No significant progress on funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes TSA, as lawmakers prepare for a two-week recess starting Friday.
  • Without a resolution, airports will operate with reduced security capabilities during peak spring break travel.
  • TSA workers have been quitting or calling out in large numbers after six weeks without pay.

Airport Impacts and Emergency Measures

  • Major hubs like Houston's George Bush Intercontinental, New York, and Atlanta are experiencing wait times up to four hours, with some airports operating below 50% of their security lanes.
  • Airports have responded by:
    • Reassigning hundreds of employees from departments like finance and IT to manage crowds.
    • Advising travelers to arrive hours earlier than usual.
    • Bringing in civilian security and police from the Port Authority for crowd control, though they cannot operate screening checkpoints.
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ICE Deployment and Constraints

  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been deployed to 14 airports to assist with logistics, crowd control, and ID verification after receiving basic TSA training.
  • ICE agents are not performing specialized security screening tasks, such as operating X-ray machines, and their direct impact on wait times is unclear despite White House claims of improvement.
  • Factors like traveler volume and available lanes also influence delays; ICE arrived during peak travel periods.

TSA Workers' Financial Hardships

  • Over 480 TSA officers have quit since the shutdown began, and more than 3,000 called out on a recent Tuesday.
  • Workers, earning an average of $35,000 annually, report severe financial strain, including skipping meals, selling plasma, and facing eviction.
  • Airports and nonprofits are providing meals and assistance, but union leaders describe ICE support as insufficient.

Urgent Need for Congressional Action

  • Airport officials warn that conditions will worsen unless Congress ends the shutdown before recess.
  • A funding solution is critical to restore TSA operations and prevent further disruptions during high-traffic periods.
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