COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – A Houston traveler drove more than 90 miles to Easterwood Airport to avoid a four-hour security line at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Todd Lemaire said he tried to arrive early for his 7:30 a.m. flight but encountered a four-to-six-hour backup.
“I tried to get there 4 hours, 3 1/2, 4 hours early for my 730 flight, and it was about a four-to-six-hour backup,” Lemaire said. “And so I changed my flight and came here and I’m able to obviously leave.”
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers will miss another paycheck on Friday, the latest consequence of a shutdown now approaching 40 days. John Pistole, former administrator of the United States TSA, said the situation could worsen and raise serious safety concerns.
“It does concern me about the possibilities of operatives, bad guys, who are wanting to try to exploit a perceived vulnerability because there’s not as many people on at TSA showing up for work,” Pistole said.
Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said the shutdown is affecting airport security and workers.
“They’ve decided not to pay the men and women that are keeping us safe in our airports and in our skies in order to try to extract some political advantage,” Cornyn said.
Lemaire said he hopes the situation is resolved soon.
“I hope the immature people in the government get their stuff together and that we’re able to work this out so we’re not affecting all the Americans who are suffering from this,” he said.
Officials urge travelers to check estimated security wait times for their airport and budget extra time before flying.
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