Atlanta airport sees TSA staffing shortages amid shutdown
The Atlanta airport is dealing with Transportation Security Administration officer shortages as day 20 of the federal government shutdown has left these employees working without pay.
“Due to TSA staffing shortages, passengers may experience longer than usual wait times at the security checkpoints,” a Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport spokesman told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“We encourage travelers to allow extra time for screening and appreciate their patience as we work with our partners to maintain safe and efficient operations.”
The lines, which at times stretched into the atrium of the domestic terminal, are some of the more visible effects of the shutdown to have taken place in Atlanta since it started.
Security lines stretched longer than normal as a result Monday, with some waits reaching more than 30 minutes before 10 a.m., according to the airport’s website.
The airport also posted an update on the staffing shortages on social media.
Last week the officers received their first partial paycheck; if no agreement is reached, they’re set to receive zero dollars next week.
About the Author
As a business reporter, Emma Hurt leads coverage of the Atlanta airport, Delta Air Lines, UPS, Norfolk Southern and other travel and logistics companies. Prior to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution she worked as an editor and Atlanta reporter for Axios, a politics reporter for WABE News and a business reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
