Federal employees at the airport are still showing up, despite not getting paid. Airport officials said they are doing everything they can to show their support.
TAMPA, Fla. — With the ongoing government shutdown, hundreds of federal employees at Tampa International Airport are working without pay — but still showing up to keep flights moving and passengers safe.
Airport officials said they began preparing for the possibility of a shutdown weeks in advance, teaming up with Feeding Tampa Bay and United Way Suncoast to make sure help was ready the moment paychecks stopped.
“Anytime you have a paycheck disruption that can be extremely stressful,” said airport spokesman Beau Zimmer. “We wanted to make sure when those paychecks stopped, the resources were ready and in place.”
Through those partnerships, federal employees now have access to a wide range of resources — free bus rides through HART and PSTA for those with a federal ID, grocery assistance through Feeding Tampa Bay, short-term loans from local banks and support from utility companies like TECO. There’s also childcare help, pet food support and emotional counseling offered through the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, First Contact and 211 services.
“If you don’t have childcare, or gas for your car, you might not be able to get to work,” Zimmer said. “We tried to put together a package with our community partners to make it as easy as possible for employees to continue coming in.”
About 1,100 of Tampa International’s 11,000 employees are federal workers, including TSA agents, air traffic controllers and customs officers — whose work is vital to keeping the airport running.
“We can’t have flights without TSA screening. We can’t have flights without air traffic control,” Zimmer said. “It’s incredibly important to help these guys as much as possible get through this time — kind of like a Band-Aid until those paychecks resume.”
Passengers say they’ve noticed the dedication, too.
“They’re still working. They’re not getting paid,” said traveler Tammy Kravitz. “We just want to thank them for their hard work and say we’re sorry they’re going through this.”
And beyond organized relief efforts, airport workers and travelers alike are finding small ways to show support — from handwritten thank-you notes to surprise deliveries of pizzas to TSA and control tower workers.
“If there is any time that we can lend a helping hand or just show a friendly gesture, this is the time to do it,” said Zimmer. “We want them to know how incredibly important they are, but also how appreciated they are. Not just by us, but by passengers and pilots and the other people that rely on this airport for their livelihoods and for getting around.”
Despite the financial strain, airport officials said operations at TPA remain normal, with no unusual delays or staffing shortages.
“Our federal workers are incredibly dedicated,” Zimmer said. “They know their role is vital to the Tampa Bay area, and while they’re going through something difficult right now, they’re still coming to work — and we’re incredibly grateful for that.”
Airport leaders said these gestures — big and small — remind federal workers they’re not alone, and that the community stands behind them until the shutdown ends.