TSA official says rising sick calls could lead to airports shutting down
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The Bottom Line
TSA official warns airport closures possible if employee sick calls rise during government shutdown.
How This Affects You
Without pay during the shutdown, TSA officers are calling out sick, causing screening delays up to two hours and risking airport closures that would prevent your travel.
AI Summary
A TSA official warned Thursday that rising sick calls among airport security officers during the partial government shutdown could force airports to close if staffing levels deteriorate further. Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl said the agency is monitoring escalating call-outs as a "serious situation," with some major airports already experiencing security screening delays of up to two hours. The shutdown has left many TSA officers working without pay, intensifying the challenge of maintaining adequate staffing at the nation's busiest travel hubs. Stahl's comments underscore the real operational risk the government faces if workers continue to stay home due to financial strain. The agency has not indicated which airports might be most vulnerable to closures or provided a specific threshold for when such action would be necessary.
What's Being Done
Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl is monitoring the situation and flagging it as a serious staffing crisis.
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