FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Security lines at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport have been quite long this weekend.
On Saturday, the line for TSA at Terminal 1 snaked outside of the building, and Sunday morning it wasn’t much better.
The TSA turbulence continues across the nation because of a partial government shutdown.
Federal employees of the Department of Homeland Security are not getting paid amid the shutdown.
“They actually need to be paid,” said traveler Helen Samuels. “If they come to work, they should get their full pay because they have families too. If the government is not hungry, why should the people working be hungry?”
TSA workers have been caught in the crosshairs of the political battle on Capitol Hill.
“To me, it’s a selfish thing that our government is doing,” said Samuels. “We all work hard, and TSA works extra hard to keep the American people safe.”
In under a year, government shutdowns have impacted TSA workers three times, leaving them without pay, even when they’re working.
“I think it’s terrible that people have to work without being paid,” said traveler Heather Exner. “I don’t understand why the government shutdown. What do we pay taxes for? Get to work. I have to work.”
The Trump administration estimates since the government shutdown, more than 300 TSA agents have quit, along with 1,000 who resigned during last year’s shutdown.
It’s a problem now for jetsetters, too.
“It’s a lot, especially when you’re just trying to get home,” said traveler Amanda Attaway.
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