TSA Issues Emergency Warning To O’Hare And Midway Amid Unprecedented Staffing Crisis
As the partial government shutdown continues, long security lines are becoming increasingly common at airports across the country, leaving travelers waiting for hours.
Here is why security lines are reaching a breaking point
Officials are warning that a rise in sick calls from Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers could potentially lead to some airport closures, with experts describing the situation as “serious.” Long lines have been seen at various airports this week as TSA officers work without pay during one of the busiest travel seasons.
Travelers at O’Hare face 13% surge in crowds this Week
While 50,000 TSA officers are still on duty without compensation, the increasing number of sick calls could result in even longer wait times, especially with the spring break period—historically one of the busiest travel times of the year—approaching over the next 12 days.
According to journal-topics.com, in light of the growing waits at security checkpoints, the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) anticipates more than 3.76 million passengers at O’Hare and Midway International Airports between Thursday, March 19, and Monday, March 30, based on airline projections.
Overall, travel at both airports is expected to increase by more than 10% compared to the same period last year. O’Hare is projected to experience a 13% increase in passenger traffic compared to spring break last year.
The TSA will likely continue to see longer-than-usual wait times at security checkpoints due to the influx of travelers, along with ongoing staffing challenges related to the partial federal government shutdown.
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