Possible delays at El Paso International if shutdown continues
Employees with the departments of Homeland Security and Transportation are not being paid during the shutdown, that includes TSA agents and FAA air traffic controllers, two groups of people who keep our airports moving fluidly.
Houston’s Bush Intercontinental airport had to close one of their TSA checkpoints because of a staffing shortage during a shutdown, pushing passengers through fewer spaces.
One TSA agent ABC-7 spoke with at EL Paso International Airport said employees in El Paso have not started to call in sick, they keep coming to work without being paid. It seems there haven’t been delays for those flying in or out of El Paso for now.
“I’m not really concerned, I mean I feel bad for the people that are not getting a paycheck, of course I’m concerned for them, but as far as me traveling? Not really,” said CLaudia Posada, who flew in to El Paso from Miami.
ABC-7 spoke at length with a TSA agent about how the shutdown is affecting them here at El Paso International.
They said some agents, especially those with kids or not married have had to request food stamps and unemployment. Thankfully, they said the airport and airlines have been helping, providing my ch, water and snacks for the agents to save money.
But, ABC-7 was told, they expect agents to begin protesting and calling in if the shutdown for son for longer, maybe even before the second missed paycheck, which means a lot of lost money for passengers and companies
“I got there really early this morning just to be on the safe side, and uh, with as much uncertainty that’s going on it’s just hard to tell what the result might end up being,” said Bob Bainter who flew in to El Paso from Iowa.
As things remain uncertain these passengers said all one can do is be prepared. Meanwhile expenses for these federal agents will keep piling up with no resolution in sight.
Even if funding is resolved this week, federal employees won’t receive their next paycheck until January 25. Congress returns to Washington Monday.
