Lengthy Wait Times at TSA Checkpoints as Travel Returns to Normal Levels
Jun 5, 2021, 11:44 am
#1
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Lengthy Wait Times at TSA Checkpoints as Travel Returns to Normal Levels
I've seen more than one report of long waits at TSA's Security Checkpoints recently. The most recent was reported by a NASCAR driver at Charlotte.
A disaster.’ NASCAR driver bemoans long lines at CLT airport as COVID concerns wane
Seems for those of us traveling to realize early on that counting on TSA to provide a quick checkpoint experience is just a pipedream.
Back to normal in more ways than one.
A disaster.’ NASCAR driver bemoans long lines at CLT airport as COVID concerns wane
"There’s 1 checkpoint open and it’s backed up from the E checkpoint all the way past the middle of the terminal,” Martins posted. “People can’t get in the building it’s so backed up.”
“And I’m precheck — showed up an hour and 15 mins early & made it to my gate 4 mins before boarding,” he continued. “Gonna be a lottttt of people missing flights this morning.”
“And I’m precheck — showed up an hour and 15 mins early & made it to my gate 4 mins before boarding,” he continued. “Gonna be a lottttt of people missing flights this morning.”
Back to normal in more ways than one.
Jun 6, 2021, 7:11 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
The TSA wants to hire 6,000 new airport security officers by the summer
This article is from February. What happened to all the screeners that were laid off due to covid? They aren't being rehired?
This article is from February. What happened to all the screeners that were laid off due to covid? They aren't being rehired?
Last edited by TWA884; Jun 6, 2021 at 9:46 am Reason: FT Rule 7: Links to other sites; please include a summary or headline so that members don't have to follow the link
Jun 6, 2021, 9:17 am
#3
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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According to a May 25, 2021, article in The Hill, the TSA has hired 3,000 more TSO's since the beginning of the year and will be hiring an additional 1,000 before the 4th of July. The Points Guy reports that bonuses of $1,000 are offered to those who sign-on by Sep. 30.
Jun 6, 2021, 9:37 am
#4
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Additional information regarding excessive wait times at TSA security checkpoints.
Austin airport TSA security wait times 2 hours long Friday morning, frustrating travelers
TSA warns of longer airport wait times as travel ramps up
So what happened to TSA's screeners? Haven't seen any reports of RIF actions.
Another attempt at increasing the size of an unneeded federal agency?
Austin airport TSA security wait times 2 hours long Friday morning, frustrating travelers
TSA warns of longer airport wait times as travel ramps up
So what happened to TSA's screeners? Haven't seen any reports of RIF actions.
Another attempt at increasing the size of an unneeded federal agency?
Jun 6, 2021, 10:09 am
#5
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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According to Government Executive, one in five TSA screeners quits within six months. According to Federal News Network, TSA’s overall attrition rate is about 17%; they confirm that about 20% of TSA’s new employees leave within six months of being hired. NPR reported that a hiring freeze was imposed just as the pandemic hit. Once the hiring freeze was lifted, I suspect that the pandemic severely impacted recruiting and training. It probably was not a very high priority in 2020, when air travel was severely reduced.
Jun 6, 2021, 1:20 pm
#6
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According to Government Executive, one in five TSA screeners quits within six months. According to Federal News Network, TSA’s overall attrition rate is about 17%; they confirm that about 20% of TSA’s new employees leave within six months of being hired. NPR reported that a hiring freeze was imposed just as the pandemic hit. Once the hiring freeze was lifted, I suspect that the pandemic severely impacted recruiting and training. It probably was not a very high priority in 2020, when air travel was severely reduced.
Though TSA’s attrition rate of about 17% is roughly equivalent with other federal agencies, it’s much higher for TSA’s part-time frontline workforce. Nearly 27 percent of part-time TSOs left the agency in fiscal 2017, according to the IG.
Jun 9, 2021, 5:49 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
TSA asks office staff for help, offers bonuses and mandates overtime to keep airport checkpoints moving
Same story we have been hearing for years and years.
Same story we have been hearing for years and years.
Last edited by TWA884; Jun 9, 2021 at 9:50 am Reason: FT Rule 7: Links to other sites; please include a summary or headline so that members don't have to follow the link
Jun 9, 2021, 8:22 am
#8
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Apparently it isn't just TSA that is seeing staffing issues. Not directly related to TSA slowdowns but certainly parallel to the issue.
As reported on Flyertalk.
AMERICAN ASKS BEHIND-THE-SCENES WORKERS TO VOLUNTEER FOR SIX-HOUR SHIFTS
As reported on Flyertalk.
AMERICAN ASKS BEHIND-THE-SCENES WORKERS TO VOLUNTEER FOR SIX-HOUR SHIFTS
With gate agents and customer service representatives overwhelmed by the increased travel demand, American is asking staff at their nearby headquarters to consider taking an unpaid, six-hour volunteer shift to help with airport operations. Although most workers are salaried, even those working hourly are being asked to give up their off hours.