Airport Delays: TSA Workers Struggle Without Pay

0:00This is Cory with the story, here with your quick two-minute global update. American air travelers face massive delays this weekend, as unpaid transportation security administration screeners struggle with lines and major airports. The partial government shutdown, now in its 36-day, has left TSA workers without paychecks since mid-February, leading to understaffed. Chet points and waits up to four hours at places like Dallas-Four Worth. The standoff stems from disputes over funding the Department of Homeland Security, with Democrats pushing for changes to immigration policies, and Republicans insisting on full-department support. Senate votes fail Friday and Saturday to break the impasse, keeping the shutdown alive even on a typically slow travel day. Travelers express sympathy for the screeners, many saying everyone deserves timely pay amid high-living costs. Authorities and frequent flyers alike blame the delays on political gridlock, with some bowing to drive instead of fly until resolved.

1:02President Trump announced plans to deploy immigration and customs enforcement agents to airport starting Monday, unless funding passes, aiming to ramp, up arrests of undocumented immigrants. Meanwhile, at least 376 TSA officers have quit since the shutdown began, worsening chronic staffing shortages. As financial strain mounts on screeners who've seen paid delayed nearly half the time over the past 171 days, pressure builds for lawmakers to end the shutdown and get airports moving smoothly again.