U.S. airport security workers and air traffic controllers working without pay have been warning that security and safety could be compromised if the government shutdown continues.
Despite warnings by labor groups representing airport screeners, the Trump administration said on Wednesday that staffing is adequate and travelers have not faced unusual delays.
Union officials said some TSA officers have already quit because of the shutdown and many are considering quitting.
'The loss of (TSA) officers, while we’re already shorthanded, will create a massive security risk for American travelers since we don’t have enough trainees in the pipeline or the ability to process new hires,' American Federation of Government Employees TSA Council President Hydrick Thomas said.
'If this keeps up there are problems that will arise – least of which would be increased wait times for travelers.'
Passengers are seen above waiting in a Transportation Security Administration line at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Wednesday
Unions will hold a rally on Thursday on Capitol Hill urging an end to the shutdown.
'There has been no degradation in security effectiveness and average wait times are well within TSA standards,' Transportation Security Administration spokesman Michael Bilello said.
There are 51,000 airport security officers, and he said the agency has brought on hundreds of new ones.
Bilello said there had been no spike in employees quitting and that on Tuesday, 5 percent of officers took unscheduled leave, up just slightly from 3.9 percent the same day last year.
U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Homeland Security committee, asked the Trump administration how it is ensuring adequate staffing at airports.
'TSA officers are among the lowest paid federal employees, with many living paycheck-to-paycheck,' Thompson wrote.
Furloughed federal workers and area elected officials hold a protest rally in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia on Tuesday
'It is only reasonable to expect officer call outs and resignations to increase the longer the shutdown lasts, since no employee can be expected to work indefinitely without pay.'
TSA said that on Tuesday it screened 1.73 million passengers and 99.9 percent of passengers waited less than 30 minutes.
Bilello said TSA is still hiring officers and working on contingency plans in case the shutdown lasts beyond Friday, when officers would miss their first paycheck since the shutdown began on Dec. 22.
TSA has brought on about 500 new officers since the shutdown with 300 more expected to start later this month.
'In order to maintain the right level of staffing, it's critical to have a continuous process of recruiting, training and getting new officers to our nation's airports,' Bilello said.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association noted that the number controllers is now at a 30-year low, with 18 percent of controllers eligible to retire.
If a significant number of controllers missed work, the Federal Aviation Administration could be forced to extend separation requirements, amount of time between takeoffs and landings, which could delay travel.
Fred Jennings, 67, holds a placard stating 'NO WALL' while gathering with area elected officials and furloughed federal workers at a rally in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia on Tuesday
The FAA closed its training academy in Oklahoma City for new air traffic controller hires.
The FAA suspended training and limited safety efforts to 'urgent continued operational activity to protect life and property.'
NATCA President Paul Rinaldi said controllers often must work overtime and six-day weeks at short-staffed locations.
'If the staffing shortage gets worse, we will see reduced capacity in the National Airspace System, meaning more flight delays,' Rinaldi said.
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https://hienalouca.com/2019/01/10/tsa-union-warns-of-massive-security-risk-for-travelers-as-more-airport-screeners-may-quit/
Main photo article U.S. airport security workers and air traffic controllers working without pay have been warning that security and safety could be compromised if the government shutdown continues.
Despite warnings by labor groups representing airport screeners, the Trump administration said on Wednesday that...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/01/09/23/8334032-6575093-image-m-11_1547077144616.jpg
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