Community Supports TSA Agents During Shutdown

0:00It's March 26th. This is Birmingham News. Today AI powered stories from your city. I'm Corey with the story. The federal government shutdown has stretched into its 41st day, leaving 160 TSA agents at Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport without pay since late January. To help out, the Birmingham Airport Authority kicked off a gift card collection drive aimed right at these front line workers. Travelers and locals can pitch in by dropping off cards inside the terminal, directly across from the main TSA checkpoint entrance. The cards need to be worth $20 or less and only for gas stations, grocery stores or restaurants. No cash or general prepaid cards allowed. Community members have stepped up big time, eager to support the agents grinding through unpaid shifts. Airport leaders say this makes it simple for folks to contribute in a real, everyday way. TSA handles all the distribution to keep things fair among the team. Meanwhile, security lines at the airport run a bit longer

1:02some days, but most folks clear through in just minutes. Officials still urge arriving two hours before flights, especially those early ones from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. as the effort rolls on amid the ongoing shutdown.