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People Across Canada And The U.S. Are Sharing Horror Stories On Twitter About Careless Airport Security During The Government Shutdown
The United States began the new year with yet another government shutdown. When Congress can't agree on a budget, all non-essential services are closed until they receive proper funding.
Many employees in "essential" services, meanwhile, are forced to work without pay, usually on the promise that they will be paid retroactively for their hours.
Among these services are the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (USCBP) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is responsible for airport security. But in protest of the situation, frustrated TSA agents have begun to call in sick to avoid work and pressure the government to come to a funding agreement.
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TL;DR TSA agents have begun to call in sick in protest of the U.S. government shutdown that has forced them to work without pay. Delays are plaguing airports across the U.S. and Canada as a result. Below are compiled some reactions from Twitter.
As a result, airport security and customs checkpoints have become severely crowded. These delays have even begun to affect travel in Canada, where airports and airlines have issued warnings to individuals travelling to the United States.
Air Canada advises customers travelling to the U.S. that they arrive at Canadian airports three hours prior to their scheduled departure time due processing times of customers by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.
In response, hundreds of people across the U.S. and Canada have taken to social media to voice both their frustration with and support for TSA agents.
Below are compiled some of the most insightful Twitter comments. Some present some pretty frightening scenarios while others are simply hilarious.
This situation is likely only going to become worse as the shutdown persists. Stay tuned for more updates.
I asked TSA agent if I should take out my laptop out of its case and she said “I don’t care, I’m not getting paid”
How TSA is gonna be lookin while they aren’t getting paid
pic.twitter.com/R00xzmzsze
Many pointed out the possible security risks associated with contemptuous TSA agents.
At ATL airport this a.m.
Me to TSA Agent: So are you seriously not being paid (ok dumb ? I know)
TSA: Yep, not being paid
Me: Oh God, I’m seriously so sorry. Thank you for being here.
TSA Agent: Don’t worry girl, I’m calling off tomorrow#shutdown
TSA workers until the government shutdown is over. pic.twitter.com/4SJyhuhCii
This is not an actual video of a TSA agent at work. But the clip does present a troubling possibility.
TSA let us all walk in with shoes on, no laptops out the bag, no nothing. Which tells me one thing:
All those safety precautions are BS in the first place.
The #GovernmentShutdown means #TSA ain’t getting paid! Guess who’s not putting their wallet, phone, and laptop in that bin?? #NotGettinGot#TeamDl
Now it seems some travellers are less likely to trust the agents.
My friend just got this message....we need to start paying TSA again so they start giving af pic.twitter.com/juzrVSzemy
Rules seem to have gone out the window.
Really hoping the TSA workers can hold on for just a few more days so I can make it back to Canada. Ugh. Fuck this stupid motherfucker and his stupid fucking wall.
So the one time I decide to fly back to Canada through the US is when the government decides to shut down and make TSA work without pay? pic.twitter.com/rqpbnPJ8dO
Helpless Canadians are understandably upset.
bitch..shut down the government for years..girl this finna be long . pack your suitcases we goin to canada💅🏻wait can’t to do that cause the TSA agents are gone🙈💕 pic.twitter.com/poS80NeYyn
Ive been sitting on the floor at the Miami airport customs line for two hours now because every single TSA post is closed. #ShutdownStories
#BoycottTrumpPrimeTime
Goverment shut down over a fake crisis while The real terrorists getting through TSA like.... pic.twitter.com/CQCfIMmBps
This is concerning.
Airport security and customs are filled with the sounds of travelers thanking agents for their service because, you know, a lot of these workers aren't getting paid and Mexico isn't paying them. #ShutdownStories
@realDonaldTrump#ShutdownStories metal detector turned off at Baltimore airport to let people go though. I have huge metal bucks on belt. Did not beep. Ditto with other passengers.
With the shutdown TSA at Tampa Intl Airport screened all passengers as though we were all Pre Checked. So....either this is a really scary time to fly or all the normal security measures are unnecessary. #ShutdownStories
The situation has cast doubt on the necessity of some invasive security measures.
#ShutdownStories It is possible my son lost something last Friday at the airport security checkpoint. But we can't check because the TSA Lost and Found is unstaffed due to the shut down. And then will be backlogged when they reopen.
Really hoping the TSA workers can hold on for just a few more days so I can make it back to Canada. Ugh. Fuck this stupid motherfucker and his stupid fucking wall.
When I ask a TSA Agent how they’re doing today pic.twitter.com/SSGa2ySw9I
Some people are even tipping the agents.
So..... if a bomb goes off on one of these planes that TSA decides to let slide by cause they not being paid... do we blame tha workers or trump for it cause of this government shutdown shit??
This is a terrifying prospect.
I'm just spitting here, but it seems like not paying TSA agents to work in our airports is a much bigger emergency than building a wall on our border.
I have to fly from Iowa back to Canada in two days. Am I allowed to bring treats for the @TSA people working or is that against the rules? I was thinking of some bags of fun size candy bars. Or is that stupid?
Maybe some good old Canadian gratitude can make the whole thing better.
Stay tuned.