TSA Absences Linger at Busiest Airports Despite Back Pay

TSA officers called out absent at a 10.6% rate on Sunday, affecting security lines at major hubs and forcing travelers to endure longer waits. Baltimore/Washington International Airport saw the highest rate at 38.5%, while Houston's George Bush Intercontinental reported 36.4% and William P. Hobby Airport 34.1%. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stepped in at BWI to keep checkpoints open, as White House border czar Tom Homan promised support until staffing normalized.

TSA officers received pay for 160 hours covering February 22 to March 21, with some deposits hitting bank accounts as early as Monday. Pasqual Contreras, a TSA officer at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, described his relief after getting the funds, noting it covered his rent for March but left him short for April bills. The payments followed President Trump's executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to issue the checks, though workers remained unpaid for February 14 to 21 and awaited clarity on overtime.

More than 510 TSA officers quit due to the shutdown's financial strain, with Angela Grana, a TSA officer in Colorado and regional vice president for the American Federation of Government Employees, explaining that resigning meant losing security clearance and jobs. Grana received her paycheck early Monday but highlighted ongoing challenges, such as accumulating late fees and struggles with childcare that kept some colleagues from returning. Workers starting at $40,000 a year found it impossible to take second jobs without agency approval, exacerbating their inability to cover basic needs like gas and food donations from travelers.

The partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which began on February 14, left tens of thousands of workers unpaid, though Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents continued receiving funds from last year's legislation. New Orleans and Atlanta airports reported call-out rates above 33%, contributing to nationwide staffing shortages that disrupted flights and forced some travelers to miss connections. While TSA absences dipped from a peak of 12.4% on March 27, the persistent high rates underscored ongoing operational risks for holiday travel periods.

Grana emphasized that workers like her missed family milestones, such as Easter celebrations, due to mandatory shifts and unscheduled leave restrictions. Contreras shared how the pay covered his commute but not enough to avoid staying in debt, affecting his ability to maintain a professional demeanor at checkpoints. As bills come due on Wednesday, many TSA employees will continue juggling financial recovery, potentially leading to further absences that delay airport processing for everyday passengers.