There is no doubt that the government shutdown has a tremendous effect on federal employees. One particular sector that many federal employees are concerned about is the TSA, considering that they help to ensure airport security.
This is becoming even more of a concern as it has been revealed that TSA screeners are actually calling out sick because of the situation, which has caused major airports such as Miami International Airport and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport to actually shut down several screening areas. The salary of TSA screeners typically range between $25,000 and $40,000, and many believe that they are calling out for the simple fact that they cannot afford to not receive a paycheck for their work.
JetBlue CEO Statements
It appears as though a CEO of a major airline has gone on record to let the public know that this is a serious issue that has to be addressed ASAP. Specifically, Jetblue chief executive officer Robin Hayes has criticized the shutdown, even going as far as to claim that we are close to a “tipping point” with TSA employees. For context, TSA employees are now about to miss their second paycheck after the government shutdown.
It is important to note that even with the government shutdown, it does not seem to have affected airline stocks. American Airlines in particular has fared well, and Southwest Airlines recently beat expectations, as well.
