Major U.S. Airlines Send a Clear Message to Congress

Travelers across the country are dealing with lengthy airport security lines due to the partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and, in turn, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Due to staffing shortages, airports across the United States are seeing airport security lines stretching for hours, and it seems like the problem is only going to get worse until Congress agrees on a funding plan. Now, the major airlines in the United States are getting involved.

Long Airport Security Lines

Though TSA workers receive back pay once a shutdown concludes, they must continue reporting to work without a paycheck until the shutdown ends. However, given how long the current shutdown has already stretched, hundreds of TSA agents are calling out and even quitting altogether, leading to staffing shortages.

Those staffing shortages have led to extended waits at airport security checkpoints across the country. Some airports have already seen lines stretching beyond three hours, sparking a warning from the DHS as travelers face the possibility of missed flights.

“Travelers are facing TSA lines of up to nearly three hours long at some major airports, causing missed flights and massive delays during peak travel,” the DHS said in a statement.

Airlines Send a Message to Congress

Given the disruption that this partial shutdown has caused to the airline industry, the CEOs of the major airlines in the United States sent an open letter to Congress this week, urging lawmakers to come to a deal and end the shutdown.

"There are very few issues upon which 9 out of 10 Americans agree. However, in recent polling, 93 percent of your constituents across the country supported paying federal aviation workers during government shutdowns," the letter reads. "Furthermore, 88 percent of Americans said long lines and extended wait times at airport security checkpoints are likely to be repeated if TSA officers continue to work without pay during future shutdowns.

"That comes as no surprise. Americans—who live in your districts and home states—are tired of long lines at airports, travel delays and flight cancellations caused by shutdown after shutdown."

The CEOs accused Congress of using air travel as "political football," and claimed that the problem is solvable as long as Congress is willing to work together.

"This problem is solvable, and there are solutions on the table. Now it’s up to you, Congress, to move forward on bipartisan proposals that will get federal aviation workers—including TSA officers, U.S. Customs clearance officers at airports and air traffic controllers—paid during shutdowns. First, leaders should immediately come together to reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Then they need to act so this problem never happens again. Specifically, Congress should pass the Aviation Funding Solvency Act and the Aviation Funding Stability Act, which would guarantee air traffic controllers are paid regardless of the government’s funding status, as well as the Keep America Flying Act, which would provide the same protections to TSA officers who are tasked every day with keeping Americans secure in the skies," the letter continues.

The letter stressed the importance of getting a deal done before a busy travel season that includes spring break for many students across the country and the FIFA World Cup later this summer.

"It’s past time for the government to make sure that TSA officers, U.S. Customs clearance officers at airports and air traffic controllers are paid for the job they do," the letter reads. "In these times when it’s hard to reach consensus on just about anything, it is significant that the vast majority of Americans want Congress to pay federal aviation workers, keep our National Airspace System secure and ensure travelers and packages can get to their destinations safely."

The letter was signed by Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, American Airlines CEO Robert Ison, Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan, Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci, JetBlue Airlines CEO Joanna Geraghty, Atlas Air CEO Michael Steen, as well as Richard W. Smith and Nando Cesarone of FedEx and UPS, respectively.