Government Shut Down Impacts Airport Security as TSA Call Outs Continue

Government Shut Down Impacts Airport Security as TSA Call Outs Continue

The government shut down is forcing some TSA agents to call in sick as they continue to go unpaid for the work they do.

The government shut down is entering its 18th day, the longest government shut down in history. While most are able to move on with their daily lives, unaffected, there are others who are working without pay for the foreseeable future, including TSA agents.

A CNN report brought light to a larger than normal amount of call outs at John F. Kennedy Airport. Over 170 TSA agents called in sick to work, some not being able to afford the commute, others not understanding why they have to continue to work without pay.

"They can't continue," Sen. Chuck Schumer said on Sunday. "They can't get to work and they're not getting paid. That means longer lines at the airport, that means delayed flights at the airports and that puts a crimp on our New York Economy, which depends on people flying in and out."

As a result of the report indicating mass amounts of TSA agents are calling in sick, more and more travelers are flocking to the airports early to get through security, resulting in even more traffic at the checkpoints.

A statement published on TSA's official Twitter account on Sunday stated that despite the 170 and counting agents calling in sick, efforts to secure the airport had not been compromised.

"Calls out began over the Holiday period and have increased, but are causing minimal impact given there are 51,739 employees supporting the screening process," the statement read. "Security effectiveness will not be compromised and performance standards will not change. Wait times may be affected department on the number of call outs. To date, however, screening wait times remain well within TSA standards."

TSA confirmed that in the midst of the call outs on Sunday, over 2.2 million passengers were screened nationally and 99.8 percent of those passengers waited less than 30 minutes to get through security. Ninty percent of the passengers made it through security in less than 15 minutes.

"TSA is grateful to the agents who show up to work, remain focused on the mission and respectful to the traveling public as they continue the important work necessary to secure the nation's transportation systems," the statement said.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • AI to Help Resolve Non-Emergency Calls Across Utah and Decrease 911 Caller Wait Times

    The Utah Communications Authority (UCA), which oversees the state’s next generation 911 technology services, recently announced that public safety answering points (PSAPs) throughout the state plan to implement Motorola Solutions’ Virtual Response technology to automate the receipt and resolution of 10-digit non-emergency line calls in Utah with the help of AI. Read Now

  • Report Reveals Local Governments Face Surge in Ransomware Attacks with Minimal Resources

    KnowBe4, the cybersecurity platform that comprehensively addresses human risk management, recently released new research highlighting the critical cybersecurity challenges facing state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments. The report details how government organizations have become prime targets for cybercriminals while simultaneously facing severe resource constraints. Read Now

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

New Products

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.