CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Security lines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport were far shorter than travelers have seen in recent days, amid the funding turmoil caused by a partial government shutdown.
The funding battle in U.S. Congress remains centered on funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which TSA and ICE are both a part of.
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TSA workers shared frustrations with Channel 2’s Candace McCowan about the presence of agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the airport to help with security, following the deployment of agents by President Donald Trump on Monday.
TSA agents say the shutdown has to end soon.
“I had one young lady who said to me that she doesn’t even know if she can continue with life because it’s so stressful,” TSA officer Yolanda Keaton told Channel 2 Action News. “She doesn’t know she’s going to keep her apartment because she’s had eviction notices.”
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TSA workers say the reduction in wait time is because of a lower travel volume on a Tuesday. But agents are anxious for a deal out of Washington, before the higher volume returns later this week.
Travelers found themselves with plenty of time Tuesday. “I usually fly on Tuesdays, I never have a problem it was kind of decent today,” passenger Shayla Selmon said on Tuesday.
TSA agents attribute the shorter wait times to lower travel volume, not the ICE agents deployed to Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International this week.
“They can’t do our job,” Keaton said. “We go through rigorous training to get this job done, to do the mission. There’s equipment that we use. They’re not trained on equipment. There are bag searches that we do. They’re not trained to do those bags.”
TSA Callout rates have also dropped slightly. While 41.5% were out Sunday, a smaller 37.4% called out Monday.
After working nearly 40 days without pay, 450 have quit nationwide.
Travel volume is expected to climb again later in the week.
Some travelers saying they’re considering staying home until this is over.
“I’m going to rest for a little bit,” Selmon said.
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