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

  • Collaboration Made Easy Using a Work Management Platform

    Effective collaboration between security operators, teams and other departments is critical to the smooth functioning of organizations. Yet, as organizations grow in complexity, it becomes more difficult for teams to coordinate with each other. This is compounded by staffing shortages, turnover and ineffective collaboration tools. Read Now

  • Creating a Safer World

    Managing and supporting locks and door hardware within a facility is a big responsibility. A building’s security needs to change over time as occupancy and use demands evolve, which can make it even more challenging. Read Now

  • Creating More Versatility

    Today, AI has become top of mind for most security professionals. It is the topic of conversation in the technology world and continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. Read Now

  • Report: 78 Percent of CISOs Seeing Significant Impact from AI-Powered Cyber Threats

    Darktrace recently unveiled its 2025 State of AI Cybersecurity report. The findings reveal that 78% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) surveyed say that AI-powered threats are having a significant impact on their organizations, a 5% increase1 from 2024. While an increasing number of CISOs report feeling a significant impact from AI threats, more than 60% now say that they are adequately prepared to defend against these threats, an increase of nearly 15% year-over-year. However, insufficient AI knowledge and skills and a shortage of personnel and talent continue to be listed as the two top inhibitors to a successful defense. Read Now

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • 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