Travelers at airports across the country — particularly in Texas — are waiting in hours-long TSA lines as a partial government shutdown drags on. As it passes the 40-day mark, “enough is enough,” according to one longtime San Antonio TV personality.
“I don’t like politics … but … this TSA mess needs to get fixed,” she wrote. “It’s hurting too many. Our TV show’s supervising producer’s wife is a TSA employee — they are struggling through this. I am sure you have friends and family affected by this mess too.”
The shutdown stems from a Congressional stalemate over a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which houses Customs and Border Protection (CBP) alongside Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — but also TSA and other agencies. The lapse in funding means TSA workers aren’t getting paid, leading many to call out from work.
That’s causing longer lines, especially at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport, where wait times of four hours are being reported. On Tuesday, March 24, 11 percent of TSA workers nationwide called out, that number rising to 40 percent at Bush and 43 percent at Hobby, Houston’s other major airport.
As travelers and employees face a frustrating situation, Patton asked, “Why are our elected officials in Congress on both sides of the aisle still getting paychecks? Why are they getting to take their Easter TWO WEEK recess? Why do we keep electing these people?! Are they getting special treatment when they fly?” She also thanked Delta Airlines for suspending special services for members of Congress and encouraged other airlines to follow suit, saying, “Let our elected elite wait in the long lines too.”
“Enough is enough. This isn’t about politics—it’s about people. Families, workers, and travelers are being impacted every day. So much for my two cents! Praying for all you TSA folks affected.”
When MySA reached out to Patton, she directed us to a follow-up post on her Facebook promoting the San Antonio International Airport’s gift card drive for TSA workers.
“While we can’t get our government leaders to take action, maybe we can,” Patton added.