TSA Workers Unpaid, Passengers Frustrated

0:00This is Cory with the story, here with your quick two-minute global update. Travelers at Atlanta's Busy Airport are fed up with the government shutdown hitting TSA workers hard. These frontline screeners haven't seen a paycheck since the partial Department of Homeland Security closure started on February 14th. Passengers agree it's time to pay them first to keep air travel safe and smooth, setting politics aside. President Trump ramped up the pressure over the weekend, threatening to send immigration and customs enforcement agents to airports starting Monday. He wants them to round up undocumented immigrants, especially from Somalia, unless Democrats in Congress fund the department. Senate Democrats blocked a funding bill Friday, tying it to changes in immigration enforcement after recent shootings in Minneapolis. Passengers like those heading to Nashville and Philadelphia voiced frustration with the delays, and called on Democrats to end the standoff. One retiree said politics shouldn't hold up security, while a nurse praised TSA staff for showing up unpaid.

1:00Way time spiked to 90 minutes early Saturday, but dropped to about 25 by mid-morning. TSA reports around 50,000 essential workers staying on the job nationwide, though absenteeism hit 10% Thursday, higher in some spots. At least 376 agents have quit since the shutdown began, adding to high turnover in low morale after nearly half the last one. 171 days without pay. Leaders note Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, plans an alternative bill, just for TSA funding. As lines fluctuate in tensions rise, the push for a deal keeps everyone watching the skies closely.