As Congressional Democrats continue to force 50,000 Transportation & Safety Administration officers to work without pay due to a refusal to fund the Department of Homeland Security, top airline CEOs are urging lawmakers to stop treating workers as political pawns.
A March 15 open letter to Congress was signed by Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci, along with CEOs from eight other major airline companies. Alaska Air Group owns and operates Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air.
Amid an ongoing push by Congressional Democrats to defund U.S. immigration and enforcement operations, TSA functions across the nation have been disrupted for the past month thanks to their refusal to fund the DHSS, which oversees TSA.
The letter notes that polling indicates 90% of Americans favor paying federal aviation workers during government shutdowns to avoid long lines, delays and extended wait times at security checkpoints.
“Yet, once again, air travel is the political football amid another government shutdown,” the letter states. “Now it’s up to you, Congress, to move forward on bipartisan proposals that will get federal aviation workers – including TSA officers, U.S. Customs clearance officers at airports and air traffic controllers – paid during shutdowns.”
The letter calls for both immediate funding for DHSS as well as long-term legislation that would guarantee that air traffic controllers and TSA officers are paid regardless of government funding disputes.
“TSA officers just received $0 paychecks,” the CEOs wrote. “That is simply unacceptable. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to put food on the table, put gas in the car and pay rent when you are not getting paid.”
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The CEOs noted that with spring break in full swing, FIFA World Cup 2026 right around the corner and celebrations for America’s 250th birthday throughout the year, the stakes are especially high as U.S. airlines expect 171 million passengers this spring season – a new record. “But too many travelers are having to wait in extraordinarily long – and painfully slow – lines at checkpoints,” the CEOs state. “Wait times of 2, 3 and even 4 hours have been reported.”
The letter concludes by emphasizing that while there may be disagreement on many issues, “the vast majority of Americans want Congress to pay federal aviation workers, keep our National Airspace System secure and ensure travelers and packages can get to their destinations safely.”
