As the partial federal government shutdown approaches 30 days, the City of Atlanta is offering meal vouchers and free MARTA rides to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at the airport who are now working without pay.
A combination of weather delays and TSA agent shortages has led to security wait times of 90 minutes or more, with social media posts showing passenger queues extending back to the baggage claim area at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
According to a news release from the city, TSA agents are now receiving two meal vouchers per shift, free parking, free MARTA rides, and airport customer service representatives are assisting passengers, when possible, in the security lines.
“TSA officers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport continue to show up every day to protect millions of travelers, even as they face uncertainty at home,” Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement. “We are deeply grateful for their professionalism and sacrifice, and we will continue doing everything we can locally to support them while urging a swift resolution to the shutdown.”
The city urged travelers to check security wait times at ATL.com and to contact their congressional representatives and the White House to pay TSA agents “who keep our airport safe and running efficiently.”
Winter weather and TSA shortages caused more than 1,300 flights at the Atlanta airport to be delayed and more than 450 canceled on Monday, according to FlightAware.
WSB reported waits of more than two hours to get through security on Monday at Hartsfield.