Airline bosses ask Congress to end the government shutdown as TSA workers go unpaid and travel chaos continues

"As of last Friday, many TSA employees missed their first full payday and instead received $0 paychecks. Due to financial concerns, many have been calling out sick or resigning to find alternative income sources. Staffing issues have led to longer lines and increased wait times at U.S. airport security checkpoints nationwide."

"In an open letter to Congress, the executives demanded that lawmakers "immediately come together to reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security." The letter was signed by Robert Isom of American Airlines Group, Ed Bastian of Delta Air Lines, Scott Kirby of United Airlines, and Bob Jordan of Southwest Airlines, among others."

A month-long partial U.S. government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security has forced TSA employees to work without pay. As of last Friday, many TSA workers received $0 paychecks for the first time, prompting financial hardship. Faced with income loss, numerous employees have called in sick or resigned to seek alternative employment. This staffing shortage has resulted in longer security lines and extended wait times at airports nationwide. The operational disruptions have become severe enough that CEOs from major airlines—including American, Delta, United, and Southwest—have jointly issued an open letter to Congress demanding immediate action to fund the Department of Homeland Security and resolve the shutdown.

Read at Fast Company