TSA Officers Struggle Without Pay, Cause Delays

0:00Today is March 20th. Here's what's making headlines worldwide. Transportation Security Administration officers are working without pay for the third time in less than six months due to a government funding lapse. That started on Valentine's Day. This has led to serious financial hardships like eviction notices, car repossessions, and empty fridges for many of the roughly 50,000. Effected workers since the shutdown began at least 376 officers have quit worsening an already high turnover rate at the agency. Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security reported climbing absences nationwide with 10% of agents missing shifts on Thursday. Rates were much higher in spots like Houston at 33%, New York's John F. Kennedy at 29% and New Orleans at 27%. These shortages have forced some airports to close checkpoints temporarily. Travelers are filling the pinch with wait times stretching to two hours or more and major hubs including Houston, Atlanta, and New Orleans.

1:03Passengers have missed flights and lines have snaked into baggage claim areas, making airport trips unpredictable. Union leaders say, low pay, poor morale, and workplace frustrations have plagued the TSA for years, even with recent raises. A government report warned that without fixes, staff losses will continue and acting officials now predict attrition could jump 25%. Or, more like, after the last shutdown, as Congress takes a break the first two weeks of April, funding remains uncertain, leaving officers to rely on food drives inside jobs while. Security lines fluctuate wildly. The strain shows no quick end in sight.