As the partial government shutdown continues, airports in the United States are experiencing the highest wait times in the nation’s history, the Transportation Security Administration’s top official announced on Wednesday, March 25.
TSA Staffing Crisis
During the 43 day shutdown last fall, TSA experienced a 25% increase in officer separations compared to that same time the year before, TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill said during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing in which lawmakers addressed the impacts of the shutdown.
The ongoing shutdown is causing significant airport disruptions across the country as TSA worker absences soar and employees work without pay, forcing travelers to wait hours in lines for security screening.
So far this shutdown, McNeill told lawmakers, TSA has lost more than 480 TSA officers, and said callouts and wait times continue to accelerate with travelers forced to stand in long queues, some that have stretched outside terminals.
Wait Times Exceeding 4.5 Hours
“Multiple airports are experiencing days where 40-50 percent of their staff are calling off because they simply cannot afford to report to work,” McNeill said. “This has led to the highest wait times in TSA history, with some wait times greater than 4.5 hours.”
“We are being forced to consolidate lanes, and may have to close smaller airports if we don’t have enough officers,” McNeill said. “We understand this is frustrating and disruptive. To the traveling public, we ask for your patience and understanding as our officers are working their hardest to ensure you travel safely while not getting paid.”
Absences Soaring at Major Airports
Absences among TSA workers reached their highest over the weekend since the shutdown began five weeks ago, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The agency said more than a third of TSA staff at airports in Houston, New York City and Atlanta were absent or called in sick.
Contributing: Saman Shafiq and Michelle Del Rey, USA TODAY
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: TSA hits highest airport wait times in US history
Reporting by Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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