TSA slowdown / sickout
Jan 17, 2019, 10:57 am
#181
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,009
As for the president’s concern over a border wall, Harris believes it is misguided.
“Yes, we need border security, but you’re missing out on the security of other things,” Harris said. “All our services are not running so some things are not being checked like they should be.”
On Monday, a weapon somehow got through airport security in Atlanta onto a Delta flight. Harris said he is not surprised and is worried that could happen here.
“So far, God bless, nothing has happened,” Harris said. “but there’s no telling when somebody with ill intentions may try something or sneak something on board and we don’t have the personnel to catch it. At least, not right now.”
“Yes, we need border security, but you’re missing out on the security of other things,” Harris said. “All our services are not running so some things are not being checked like they should be.”
On Monday, a weapon somehow got through airport security in Atlanta onto a Delta flight. Harris said he is not surprised and is worried that could happen here.
“So far, God bless, nothing has happened,” Harris said. “but there’s no telling when somebody with ill intentions may try something or sneak something on board and we don’t have the personnel to catch it. At least, not right now.”
Jan 17, 2019, 11:13 am
#182
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: TPA/ALC/CDG
Programs: Iberia Plus, Flying Blue, Delta Skymiles, Priority Club
Posts: 68
Two news items:
The New York Times:
CBS news:
The New York Times:
CBS news:
On the other hand, from my experience as a private businessperson, not getting paid on time, patiently waiting for months to collect payment, is part and parcel of contracting for government agencies. Dear TSA workers, welcome to the real world.
Besides, this is a fantastic opportunity for the Federal Government to audit and metric the efficiency of TSA in preventing terror attacks in airplanes and airports and then down-size accordingly.
Jan 17, 2019, 1:00 pm
#184
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,113
Jan 17, 2019, 2:52 pm
#185
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Greensboro
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,424
I want to be sure I fully understand, there should be no surprise to TSA workers that TSA screeners are considered essential employees and sign documents to that effect acknowledging they cannot enter into any form of strike or walkout? Is that correct?
I'm happy the people in your community are supporting you guys.
I'm happy the people in your community are supporting you guys.
Trying to stay away from going OMNI, no one ever anticipated a government shutdown driven by an individual -------------------------------- (fill in the blanks). If all TSA/ATC/FAA inspectors walked off the job, there is no way they could all be fired and replaced.
That's very nice that the community has come together to support you - but what about the family at home? Feeding individual screeners doesn't do much to help feed their kids and spouses.
That's very nice that the community has come together to support you - but what about the family at home? Feeding individual screeners doesn't do much to help feed their kids and spouses.
There are also food banks in the area that have opened their doors to furloughed employees (not just TSA), and that helps some families with no strings attached, and without violating any applicable regulations pertaining to gifts. I anticipate that if we go past another pay period without pay, that the level of support from those organizations will increase. Many local Churches have been helping out families as well, and not just their congregation, any of the people that are in need have been helped.
Since you're describing the document, I think we can assume that it's not SSI, so could you answer me this - does the explanation of the designation emergency/essential employee position include an explicit statement that such personnel will be required to work with delayed pay during a partial government shutdown?
Keeping the screener force working at full strength during a shutdown is certainly a point in favor of privatization, since contractors typically invoice the government at 30 or 45 day intervals, rather than the 15-day intervals of the federal pay cycle. Contractors are set up to get their money from the gubment with longer lag times than individual federal employees.
Still, a long shutdown can still screw up the budget of a contractor if the shutdown happens to intersect with a scheduled invoice date and delays the invoice.
There are other factors to consider when discussing privatization, too. I'm on the fence about it myself.
Keeping the screener force working at full strength during a shutdown is certainly a point in favor of privatization, since contractors typically invoice the government at 30 or 45 day intervals, rather than the 15-day intervals of the federal pay cycle. Contractors are set up to get their money from the gubment with longer lag times than individual federal employees.
Still, a long shutdown can still screw up the budget of a contractor if the shutdown happens to intersect with a scheduled invoice date and delays the invoice.
There are other factors to consider when discussing privatization, too. I'm on the fence about it myself.
*Disclaimer - the last time I signed an official form on this was probably over 10 years ago, as part of a yearly form festival we used to have to do. I have heard this consistently from my management, and it is my understanding that the explanation is still a part of the intake process. There has also been tons of direct communication from HQ with the prohibitions on strikes, and I have even heard local AFGE shop stewards warning their members against strike talk/actions.
Last edited by TWA884; Jan 17, 2019 at 6:07 pm Reason: Merge consecutive posts by the same member; please use the multi-quote function. Thank you.
Jan 17, 2019, 3:19 pm
#186
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,113
I can not recall the exact wording, but that point was explained a few times too, first at my intake to the organization, intermittently since then, and consistently as shutdowns happened in the past.
*Disclaimer - the last time I signed an official form on this was probably over 10 years ago, as part of a yearly form festival we used to have to do. I have heard this consistently from my management, and it is my understanding that the explanation is still a part of the intake process. There has also been tons of direct communication from HQ with the prohibitions on strikes, and I have even heard local AFGE shop stewards warning their members against strike talk/actions.
*Disclaimer - the last time I signed an official form on this was probably over 10 years ago, as part of a yearly form festival we used to have to do. I have heard this consistently from my management, and it is my understanding that the explanation is still a part of the intake process. There has also been tons of direct communication from HQ with the prohibitions on strikes, and I have even heard local AFGE shop stewards warning their members against strike talk/actions.
Jan 18, 2019, 6:45 am
#187
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
Jan 18, 2019, 1:02 pm
#188
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,113
Absenteeism is still running high at the nations airports.
Absences Still High as TSA Predicts Airport Holiday Travel Crush
But I have seen statements from TSA several times now saying something along the lines of "While 99.7 percent of travelers waited less than 30 minutes in screening lines, three airports recorded maximum waits exceeding that time on Thursday. In Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, passengers waited as long as 47 minutes, the TSA said. "
When did a wait of 30 minutes become the acceptable? I would consider 30 minutes about 28 minutes too long.
Absences Still High as TSA Predicts Airport Holiday Travel Crush
But I have seen statements from TSA several times now saying something along the lines of "While 99.7 percent of travelers waited less than 30 minutes in screening lines, three airports recorded maximum waits exceeding that time on Thursday. In Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, passengers waited as long as 47 minutes, the TSA said. "
When did a wait of 30 minutes become the acceptable? I would consider 30 minutes about 28 minutes too long.
Jan 18, 2019, 1:30 pm
#189
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,290
Airport list of delays
Is there a single post or thread that simply has a list of airports where slowdowns have been noticed? If not, please use this one to post just the information without discussion -
Airport - date - time of day - wait time (regular or precheck)
I will monitor and try to keep in alphabetical and time/date order post at the top of the thread.
Airport - date - time of day - wait time (regular or precheck)
I will monitor and try to keep in alphabetical and time/date order post at the top of the thread.
Jan 18, 2019, 2:09 pm
#190
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,639
Moderator's Note
Is there a single post or thread that simply has a list of airports where slowdowns have been noticed? If not, please use this one to post just the information without discussion -
Airport - date - time of day - wait time (regular or precheck)
I will monitor and try to keep in alphabetical and time/date order post at the top of the thread.
Airport - date - time of day - wait time (regular or precheck)
I will monitor and try to keep in alphabetical and time/date order post at the top of the thread.
Please feel free to start a wikipost there.
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
Jan 20, 2019, 5:06 am
#191
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Baltimore, MD USA
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards. Tha... that's about it.
Posts: 4,332
https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2019/...sive-callouts/
BWI closed Checkpoint A a couple of hours early last night due to excessive TSA call-outs. No word on whether this was a one-off or is anticipated to be a regular thing, but it seems to me that the problem can only get worse as the shutdown continues.
Things are looking pretty bad all over the US for the next few days, as a large snowstorm is moving through the country and has already caused several thousand flight cancellations. Once things get moving again, I would think the backlog of stranded travelers will cause a spike in the number of people presenting themselves for screening, and with TSA short-handed due to these call-outs, that will probably cause longer lines at the remaining checkpoints.
BWI closed Checkpoint A a couple of hours early last night due to excessive TSA call-outs. No word on whether this was a one-off or is anticipated to be a regular thing, but it seems to me that the problem can only get worse as the shutdown continues.
Things are looking pretty bad all over the US for the next few days, as a large snowstorm is moving through the country and has already caused several thousand flight cancellations. Once things get moving again, I would think the backlog of stranded travelers will cause a spike in the number of people presenting themselves for screening, and with TSA short-handed due to these call-outs, that will probably cause longer lines at the remaining checkpoints.
Jan 20, 2019, 5:29 pm
#192
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MCI
Programs: CBP Global Entry, WN A-List Preferred, WN Companion Pass
Posts: 2,007
TSA calls in backup officers as absences of unpaid airport screeners rise
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/20/tsa-...kers-rise.html
Jan 20, 2019, 6:57 pm
#193
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,113
From the various news reports one could think the funding lapse only affects TSA screeners. Very little heard from the other 750,000 federal workers who are in the same boat as TSA employees.
I'm not unsympathetic to all federal employees caught up in this political spat and think they could find a court wiling to rule that they do not have to report for work if unpaid. That would at least relieve the legal jeopardy of calling out sick.
I wonder how much longer this can go on before some truly critical groups, like federal prison guards or other federal LEO's, decide they can no longer tolerate having their lives in constant turmoil and call it quits?
I think another week or so and things are going to deteriorate badly at TSA and other agencies. That's when the public will really feel the impact!
I'm not unsympathetic to all federal employees caught up in this political spat and think they could find a court wiling to rule that they do not have to report for work if unpaid. That would at least relieve the legal jeopardy of calling out sick.
I wonder how much longer this can go on before some truly critical groups, like federal prison guards or other federal LEO's, decide they can no longer tolerate having their lives in constant turmoil and call it quits?
I think another week or so and things are going to deteriorate badly at TSA and other agencies. That's when the public will really feel the impact!
Jan 20, 2019, 10:14 pm
#194
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 245
Aside from the Post Office, the only Federal employees I interact with frequently are TSOs. I wouldn't notice quickly if Correctional Officers or ATF Special Agents started calling in sick.
Jan 21, 2019, 2:21 am
#195
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
From the various news reports one could think the funding lapse only affects TSA screeners. Very little heard from the other 750,000 federal workers who are in the same boat as TSA employees.
I'm not unsympathetic to all federal employees caught up in this political spat and think they could find a court wiling to rule that they do not have to report for work if unpaid. That would at least relieve the legal jeopardy of calling out sick.
I wonder how much longer this can go on before some truly critical groups, like federal prison guards or other federal LEO's, decide they can no longer tolerate having their lives in constant turmoil and call it quits?
I think another week or so and things are going to deteriorate badly at TSA and other agencies. That's when the public will really feel the impact!
I'm not unsympathetic to all federal employees caught up in this political spat and think they could find a court wiling to rule that they do not have to report for work if unpaid. That would at least relieve the legal jeopardy of calling out sick.
I wonder how much longer this can go on before some truly critical groups, like federal prison guards or other federal LEO's, decide they can no longer tolerate having their lives in constant turmoil and call it quits?
I think another week or so and things are going to deteriorate badly at TSA and other agencies. That's when the public will really feel the impact!
There are even some news stories about federal government contractors being hit.
