Delta Air Lines has cut off special services for members of Congress at airports, as the industry continues to feel the effects of the government’s failure to pay Transportation Security Administration workers.
On Tuesday morning, Delta issued a statement saying it would temporarily suspend specialty services for members of Congress “due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown.”
Members of Congress are given special treatment at airports, including expedited screening, escorts through airports to bypass long security lines, and dedicated reservation desks that, among other things, allow them to make last-minute changes.
TSA workers hit their third period without a paycheck since funding for parts of the Department of Homeland Security was halted because of an impasse between the White House and Congress over immigration enforcement and voting policies.
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“Next to safety, Delta’s No. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment,” the airline said in a statement.
NBC News has requested comment on the ongoing situation from other major airlines.
A Southwest Airlines spokesperson said the company is watching the lines closely at its stations and is “working with Customers who might miss flights as the result of unexpected delays. For those Customers, we do our best to accommodate them without penalty on the next flight to their destination,” the spokesperson said.
Two industry sources pointed at the amount of business that airlines have before Congress — one of them specifically cited periodic bailouts — in contending that the companies should avoid alienating or angering lawmakers as they push for a solution.
“Get through this,” said one airline lobbyist. “Don’t be doing things to members.”
Several airports have been hit with security lines that are so backed up they snake through check-in areas and have taken travelers over four hours or more to clear.
As of Monday, 10.93% of TSA employees across the country had called in sick or notified employers they couldn’t work their scheduled shifts — what is known as a callout rate.
In Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport as of Monday, the callout rate was 40.3% and in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, it was 37.4%.
Meanwhile, TSA employees have said they are unable to pay bills and feed their families because they have not been paid. Airports, unions and charities have been holding food drives, meals and collections for TSA workers.
Johnny Jones, a member of American Federal Government Employees Council for TSA workers and a local unit that represents workers at Texas airports, noted in a press call on Tuesday that employees have contended with shutdowns on and off for months.
He said employees have told the union that they are paying fees of about $75 a day for late rent for apartments or other amounts for car loans. They also are charged bank fees when payments can’t be automatically paid from their accounts.
“Even after the [last] shutdown was over … the back pay doesn’t cover the fact that you just lost and have lost pay to all these fees,” Jones said.
AFGE national president Everett Kelley said Coast Guard workers also are doing their jobs, including rescues, not knowing whether they will have the money for groceries. He called it a “national embarrassment and a disgrace.”
And he warned members of Congress, “Don’t even think about going home for Easter recess while tens of thousands of American families are going without paychecks.”
On Monday, the administration deployed ICE agents to several airports to help with some security tasks, while trained TSA agents focus on screenings.
“People are not quitting the job because they want to quit the job. They love the job. They aren’t showing up to work because they have no choice,” said Hydrick Thomas, president of AFGTSA Council 100, which represents TSA officers.
One union leader said some TSA employees are selling plasma to pay for food, another said some members are now experiencing hunger.
Duncan McGuire, AFGE Region 5 vice president, said he’s been asked about the federal employees’ insurance policies regarding suicide.
“Some people are actually considering suicide as the only option to get their loved ones money when they can’t bring in anymore,” McGuire said.
Other union leaders said people can’t pay for child care, gas to get to work, copays for doctor’s appointments, medicine or food.
“This is what happens when the system is strained and staffing stretched too thin,” said Kelley said. “But instead of solving the problem of paying [transportation officers], the administration sent ICE agents to airports as replacement workers.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988, or go to 988lifeline.org, to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
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