CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Despite no paycheck, TSA agents at West Virginia International Yeager Airport continue to show up each day and do the job.
“We have not had any issues here at CRW,” said airport spokesperson Paige Withrow.
Across the country airports have been in daily chaos with more and more agents calling off sick. Many of them are finding a second job to keep food on the table while Congress remains at an impasse over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Some of the nation’s airports have seen as many as half the TSA staff failing to show up for work. Without a change soon, national reports have indicated the TSA may shutdown some of the nation’s smaller airports. Withrow said so far there’s been no talk of that in Charleston.
“That’s not something we’re expecting right now, but if something were to happen we’d give our community an update,” she said.
Most lines at the Charleston TSA checkpoint have continued to move efficiently, but at other airports it’s been a nightmare just trying to make a flight. Some customers are arriving five or six hours ahead of their scheduled flight time in hopes of still making it to the gate.
“We’re fortunate, we’ve not seen any disruptions at all here at CRW,” Withrow added. “If you’re travelling to one of those larger airports, we suggest you check that airport’s social media or website to see how early they’re suggesting you should arrive at the airport.”
Charleston has a TSA staff of about 52 people. The number includes screeners and administrative staff. The airport has held food drives in recent weeks for the TSA personnel. Withrow said they are also accepting donations of food and gift cards of $20 or less for the workers who continue to show up every day despite getting no pay.