- The Salt Lake City airport is maintaining short wait times despite the Department of Homeland Security shutdown.
- TSA employees in Utah are remaining dedicated amid high turnover and strict policies.
- Airport businesses are offering free meals to TSA workers, but sustainability remains a concern.
SALT LAKE CITY — Some travelers passing through Salt Lake City International Airport are pleased to find short wait times amid a partial government shutdown that is leaving TSA employees now heading into a third pay period without a paycheck.
Families like Taylor and Brianna Wegner were happy to see operations running as normal Wednesday afternoon.
"We have a long travel day ahead of us, and so it's nice that this isn't like adding to our itinerary," Taylor Wegner said.
Meantime, videos shared from airports in major cities, like Houston, New Orleans, and Atlanta showed lines extending into multiple levels, sometimes lasting several hours. Tanja Fowler, regional vice president in Salt Lake City for the union that represents TSA workers, said employees here in Utah are dedicated to the mission and each other.
"They're going to show up for each other, especially right now during the situation that we're in," she said. "No one wants to have to suffer working the lines when a bunch of people call out."
At the same time, however, Fowler said turnover at the TSA is high, and many local officers are still probationary employees. Strict policies make it difficult for many of them to take time off without a clear, valid excuse.
"I had an officer that needed to go help a family member, that was in a car wreck, and they were told they had to bring in proof," Fowler explained. "And so imagine you just started a brand new job. You're not getting paid already. And then if you have too many absences, you could lose that job."
The airport community is also getting some credit for helping support those TSA employees. Nancy Volmer, director of communications and marketing at the airport, said some businesses in the airport have offered free meals to TSA workers. Still, she added that there is concern over how long it all can be sustained. Airport employees have also set up a food pantry for those with the TSA.
"The longer this goes on, the more difficult it's going to be for them," Volmer said. "We're just looking at ways that we can help ease some of the pressure that they're feeling by not getting a paycheck."
Volmer also pointed out that wait times will increase toward the end of the week, as many Utah school districts get out for spring break.
"We recommend that people come to the airport at least two hours (early) for domestic flights, three hours for international flights. But do look on our website to see what the wait times are because that could change," Volmer said.
