TSA Says Nearly 10% Of Officers Have Called Out Sick Amid DHS Shutdown

On Tuesday (March 17), nearly 10% of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers nationwide called in sick, exacerbating the challenges posed by the ongoing partial government shutdown. According to data obtained by ABC News, around 2,700 officers were absent, significantly impacting airports like Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson and New Orleans, where nearly 40% of officers did not report for duty.

Typically, about 2% of TSA officers call out sick on any given day, but the current situation has seen a dramatic increase in absences. The TSA, which employs approximately 50,000 officers, has been operating without pay due to the funding lapse, leading to increased stress and financial strain among its workforce.

The absence of TSA officers has led to longer wait times at security checkpoints, raising concerns about public safety and the aviation industry's ability to handle the upcoming spring travel season. Major U.S. airline CEOs have urged Congress to resolve the funding impasse, which has forced TSA officers to work without pay for 30 days. Reuters notes that the sick call rates have spiked to around 20% in major airports since the funding expired on February 14.

The Department of Homeland Security has reported that over 300 TSA officers have already quit due to the shutdown's uncertainty and financial hardships. The White House is in discussions with travel industry officials to find a resolution, but a bipartisan solution in Congress remains elusive.