LITTLE ROCK, AR — Passengers at Clinton National Airport on Thursday said they were surprised to learn that employees with the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) are on the job without a paycheck.
The TSA is part of the federal government shutdown that started Oct. 1., but unlike many other agencies, TSA employees working in airports were not furloughed.
“TSA Transportation Security, including aviation passenger screening, as well as the TSA Federal Air Marshal Service will remain operational under the government shutdown because they have been deemed law enforcement necessary for the safety of life and protection of property,” a statement from the agency says.
Staff at Clinton National Airport say TSA employees working without pay shouldn’t affect their quality of customer service.
“I feel like that we have a very good staff that is focused on quality and that starts with our federal security director,” airport spokesperson Shane Carter says. “I feel like they’re going to continue to provide the excellent service they always do here.”
Still, some passengers say having TSA employees protecting American airports and not getting paid sends a message about what is wrong with Washington D.C.
“If Congress is going to work and get paid, they should get paid too,” passenger Howard Cannen said.
The TSA is part of the federal government shutdown that started Oct. 1., but unlike many other agencies, TSA employees working in airports were not furloughed.
“TSA Transportation Security, including aviation passenger screening, as well as the TSA Federal Air Marshal Service will remain operational under the government shutdown because they have been deemed law enforcement necessary for the safety of life and protection of property,” a statement from the agency says.
Staff at Clinton National Airport say TSA employees working without pay shouldn’t affect their quality of customer service.
“I feel like that we have a very good staff that is focused on quality and that starts with our federal security director,” airport spokesperson Shane Carter says. “I feel like they’re going to continue to provide the excellent service they always do here.”
Still, some passengers say having TSA employees protecting American airports and not getting paid sends a message about what is wrong with Washington D.C.
“If Congress is going to work and get paid, they should get paid too,” passenger Howard Cannen said.
