SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – TSA workers at airports across the nation have been working without full pay since Feb. 14 due to the partial government shutdown, including those at Syracuse Hancock International Airport. TSA workers are an essential part of making airports safe, making sure all luggage going onto airplanes is safe and doesn’t contain harmful items such as weapons and illegal substances.
“Without the TSA officers, unfortunately the airport doesn’t run the way it’s supposed to, and luckily our community has shown up for them during this time,” said Hancock Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer Jason Mehl.
In order to support TSA workers, the Hancock airport organized a drive where community members could donate non-perishable items such as cleaning supplies, canned goods and gift cards to grocery stores.
Mehl said that they received over 1,000 items on the first day of the drive alone. Outside of the drive, vendors inside of Hancock have given out free hot meals to employees during their shift to avoid additional costs for them.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Community and airport officials support unpaid TSA officers during partial government shutdown
Brody Miller: A place where people usually wait for a ride is now filling up with more than just cars and crowds. At Arrival Gate A of Syracuse Hancock International Airport, community members are showing their support for currently unpaid TSA workers through donation.
Jason Mehl: Without the TSA officers, unfortunately the airport doesn’t run the way its supposed too and the community is really showing up big during our food donation.
Miller: TSA agents started missing full paychecks and working without pay over a month ago. This is because the Department of Homeland Security that funds TSA is currently not receiving funding due to congress failing to pass the proper bills. Despite this, Chief Operations Officer Aaron Harris says their goals as an airport remain the same.
Aaron Harris: We’re all trying to drive the mission of getting the local public up in the sky safely and to their destination whether it’s for business or for pleasure and the team hanging in there throughout 33 days of a shutdown is incredible.
Miller: As the government shutdown reaches nearly 40 days and wait times for travelers across the country continue to be longer than expected, officials at Syracuse airport say they’re ready to continue this level of support.
Harris: It’s family. One team, one dream here at the airport. We’ll continue to support any way possible.
Miller: Donations can be dropped off through this Friday, March 20. Reporting in Syracuse, Brody Miller. NCC News.
While community donations are important to keep workers afloat, Chief Operations Officer Aaron Harris said another way to assist TSA workers is by containing frustration during increased wait times while traveling.
“They have a mission to complete, and that is keeping you and everyone on that plane safe. Bear with them. Come at least two hours early for your flight and be prepared,” Harris said.
This is not the first time Hancock has organized a drive like this, however. During the last government shutdown, they did the exact same thing. Due to the gratitude from employees, airport officials decided to host another drive.
“They say that ‘thank you’ isn’t enough for them. They want to give back to the community themselves after this. It means everything to them and their families,” Harris said.
It is not yet known when the partial government shutdown will end. It will not be over until Congress passes funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which TSA is a part of.
Harris said that Hancock is ready to step in to support again when needed.
“It’s like a family here. One team, one dream at the airport. We’ll continue to support any way possible,” Harris said.
Additional information on future drives will be available on the Syracuse Hancock Airport website upon announcement.
