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A high-ranking official with the TSA has issued a stark warning that airport security issues are likely to worsen before any improvements are seen, attributing the situation to the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. In a sharp critique, he accused Congress of “holding” the agency hostage.
Adam Stahl, serving as the acting Deputy TSA Administrator, highlighted on Thursday the potential for airports to halt operations due to a surge in employee callouts, which have already caused significant disruptions to flights.
“Callout rates are just one of many elements shaping our security presence at each airport. However, I must stress that the situation will deteriorate further before it improves, especially if a resolution isn’t reached in the coming days and weeks,” he expressed during an appearance on NewsNation’s “The Hill.”
While Stahl refrained from specifying the number of airports at risk, he cautioned that smaller airports might face the harshest effects.
“Smaller airports could be particularly vulnerable because they operate with fewer lanes and staff. Should three or four out of every ten employees call out, we might be forced to temporarily suspend operations at those locations to maintain security standards,” he explained.
The shutdown is in its fifth week — while Democrats and Republicans appear no closer to a compromise.
Democrats have put forward bills that would see certain agencies within DHS funded – but not the likes of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Last week, Senate Democrats blocked a bill that would restore funding for the fourth time, prolonging the saga.
The White House claims such efforts would put Americans in danger – and Stahl lashed out at Congress.
“To hold an entire department hostage, particularly over policy concerns, is, frankly, reckless, and it’s, I really think it’s, it threatens, really the foundational, you know, job of Congress at large to fund the appropriations process, to fund the executive branch,” he said.
Airport security agents are being forced to work without pay, which Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian described as “inexcusable.”
The standoff in Washington has left about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers working without pay since mid-February.
More than 5,000 flights nationwide were delayed Thursday – on top of the 9,000 flights affected Tuesday and 7,000 Wednesday, according to FlightAware.
Scores of travelers were seen waiting in long lines at Houston’s George Bush International Airport.
According to the Houston Chronicle, flight passengers faced three-hour wait times for TSA screenings.
Alerts warning travelers to expect longer TSA wait times due to the staffing shortage were displayed on screens inside the terminal.
Travelers are encountering delays because fewer TSA officers are manning security checkpoints.
On Tuesday, 40.8 per cent of TSA staffers at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport called out, as did almost 36 per cent at Louis Armstrong New Orleans airport.
Data from Atlanta airport saw more than 34 per cent of staff call out on Tuesday and this number rose to about 38 per cent, as reported by CBS News.
Cameron Cochems, a TSA union steward and lead officer in Boise, Idaho, said those on the ground are in the dark when the DHS shutdown will end – and said it’s impacting morale.
“The morale is getting worse by the day because no one knows when this is gonna end,” he said.
Travelers are “waiting in line because the government can’t do their job and it’s ruining people’s lives.”