00:00More than 300 employees of the Transportation Security Administration have left their jobs
00:04during the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, raising concerns about
00:08staffing levels and airport delays. The shutdown began on February 14th and has required roughly
00:1450,000 TSA employees to continue working because they are classified as essential workers.
00:19However, during the shutdown they have not been receiving pay. According to internal TSA data
00:24obtained by CBS News, the agency recorded 305 Nash employee separations from the start of the
00:30shutdown through Monday. Officials are reportedly concerned that the number could rise further,
00:35especially after employees missed their first full paycheck during the shutdown period.
00:39The situation has also led to increased absenteeism among frontline officers.
00:43Before the shutdown began, the average rate of unexcused call-outs was about 2%.
00:47Since mid-February, that average has increased to around 6%.
00:51On certain days, the rate has been even higher. For example, on February 23rd, the call-out rate
00:57reached 9%, although a major snowstorm in the northeastern United States also affected attendance
01:02that day. The staffing challenges have contributed to long security lines at several airports during
01:07busy spring break travel periods. At William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, passengers experienced delays
01:12of up to three and a half hours on Sunday. On that day, 53% of security officers at the
01:18airport
01:18reportedly called out. The following day, the call-out rate was still high at 47%.
01:23Travelers departing from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in New Orleans
01:27were also advised to allow at least three hours for potential wait times.
01:31At that airport, the average call-out rate has been around 14% during the shutdown.
01:35A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said TSA officers are being required to
01:40work without pay for the third time in about six months, which they said has created financial
01:45hardship for employees and their families. Share your thoughts in the comments and do like for more updates.
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