Sachin Walls
The partial federal government shutdown in 2019 did not significantly affect air travel at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, according to officials. However, there were concerns about the impact on safety and the potential for longer-term disruptions to security screenings and flights if the shutdown continued. The shutdown resulted in federal employees, including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, working without pay, leading to a union representing TSA staffers suing the federal government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 10th January 2019 |
| Status of Detroit Metropolitan Airport | Open and operational |
| Number of travellers in 2017 | 34.7 million |
| Number of TSA employees | 60,000+ |
| Number of transportation security officers | 43,000+ |
| Rate of unscheduled absences | 5% nationally |
| Rate of unscheduled absences the previous year | 3.9% |
| Status of TSA screenings | Ongoing |
| Status of TSA employees | Required to work without pay |
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What You'll Learn
Detroit Metropolitan Airport operations remain normal
Detroit Metropolitan Airport, which served 34.7 million air travelers in 2017, has not been significantly affected by the partial federal government shutdown, according to officials. Erica Donerson, director of government and external affairs for the Wayne County Airport Authority, which oversees the airport, said: "Operations at Detroit Metropolitan Airport are normal at this time. As of now, we don't expect that to change."
Passenger security screenings at Detroit Metropolitan Airport are handled by federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, who are among those federal employees who are required to work during the shutdown, but are not being paid. They will likely be paid, but not until the shutdown is over. A TSA spokesman declined to comment on what could happen with screenings if the shutdown continues long-term.
There has been a spate of TSA officers calling out of work at major airports during the shutdown, not necessarily in protest, but in some cases to earn money as the shutdown continues. The agency is not providing airport-specific data on absences, but did say that the rate of unscheduled absences was 5% nationally on a given Tuesday, compared to 3.9% on the same day a year prior.
Gregory Simpkins, a TSA officer at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport and president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 778, commented at a protest: "It's tough, but we gotta remain focused and remember our mission to serve the public." The AFGE, which represents 700,000 workers, is suing the federal government over the shutdown, alleging that it's illegal to require some federal employees to work without pay during a shutdown.
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TSA officers are working without pay
The partial federal government shutdown has not significantly impacted air travel at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, according to officials. However, the shutdown has affected Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, who are required to work without pay during this period. While they will likely receive their pay once the shutdown is over and appropriations resume, the situation has undoubtedly caused financial strain and uncertainty for these essential workers.
TSA officers are responsible for passenger security screenings at airports, and their role is critical to ensuring the safe travel of thousands of airline passengers daily. Despite this, they are among the federal employees impacted by the shutdown, expected to continue their duties without immediate compensation. This situation has prompted the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the union for TSA staffers, to sue the federal government. The AFGE alleges that it is illegal to mandate that federal employees work without pay during a shutdown.
The financial implications of working without pay during the shutdown have led to a rise in TSA officers calling out of work at major airports. While the agency has not disclosed specific airport data, the national unscheduled absence rate was reported to be 5% on a given Tuesday during the shutdown, compared to 3.9% on the same day the previous year. This increase in absences could potentially impact security screenings at airports, as the TSA spokesman declined to comment on what might occur if the shutdown continued long-term.
The impact of the shutdown on TSA officers highlights the financial precarity and challenges faced by federal employees during periods of governmental instability. It also underscores the essential role that these officers play in maintaining the safety and efficiency of air travel, even as they grapple with the uncertainty of their own financial situation. Gregory Simpkins, a TSA officer at Detroit Metropolitan Airport and president of the AFGE Local 778, emphasized the dedication of TSA officers to their mission of serving the public despite the challenging circumstances.
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AFGE sues the federal government
The partial federal government shutdown did not significantly affect air travel at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, according to officials. However, the shutdown did impact TSA staffing numbers, with a 5% rate of unscheduled absences compared to 3.9% on the same day a year prior.
Regarding the AFGE suing the federal government, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging its efforts to politicize the civil service through illegal executive orders. The AFGE, along with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), asserted that President Trump illegally exceeded his authority by attempting to unilaterally roll back a regulation issued by President Biden that protected the rights of civil servants. The lawsuit was intended to "protect the integrity of the American people's government" and prevent the replacement of career civil servants with unqualified political loyalists.
The Justice Department also sued AFGE affiliates to exempt eight federal agencies from union agreements due to national security concerns, following Trump's Executive Order. The lawsuit argued that collective bargaining agreements impeded the agencies' ability to implement workforce policies that would enhance their national security missions.
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Air traffic controllers raise safety concerns
During the 2019 partial government shutdown, air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers were among the federal employees who were required to work without pay. While the shutdown did not significantly affect air travel at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, it did raise safety concerns for air traffic controllers and TSA officers across the country.
Air traffic controllers, through their union, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), demanded an end to the federal government shutdown, citing safety concerns. They participated in a national campaign to raise questions about aviation safety while many Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) workers were off the job. The NATCA also expressed worry about the lack of training for new controllers and the suspension of hiring during the shutdown.
The shutdown also impacted TSA staffing numbers, with a spate of officers calling off work at major airports, including Detroit Metropolitan Airport. While the agency did not provide airport-specific data on absences, the rate of unscheduled absences increased nationally during the shutdown. This led to long lines at airports and increased concerns about the safety of air travel.
The FAA's shortage of air traffic controllers, combined with the strain of a shutdown, could result in flight delays and further stress for those forced to work. During the last shutdown, a small number of air traffic controllers calling in sick was enough to temporarily halt travel at some airports. The loss of support staff during the shutdown also contributed to delays in maintenance and put the technology relied on by controllers at risk of falling behind or malfunctioning.
Overall, the 2019 government shutdown raised safety concerns for air traffic controllers and TSA officers, impacting staffing numbers and causing delays in maintenance and training. These issues have the potential to affect the safety of air travel and disrupt the nation's airspace.
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Nonprofits prepare for food needs
During the 2019 partial federal government shutdown, Detroit Metropolitan Airport operations remained unaffected. However, the shutdown highlighted the fine line between stability and economic hardship for many. Nonprofits and food banks prepared to meet the increased demand for food assistance from furloughed federal workers and contractors.
Food banks and pantries, already strained from the end of COVID benefits, braced for additional demand in the event of a prolonged government shutdown. They anticipated a strain on their resources as they served a growing number of individuals and families facing financial hardship. Nonprofits like One Mission Cambridge, a nonprofit group of churches providing food assistance, experienced a surge in demand, serving 400 individuals per month, up from 300 previously.
Nonprofits and food banks played a crucial role in providing emergency food distributions and helping federal workers and contractors navigate and apply for federal assistance programs like SNAP, WIC, and school meals. They also certified eligible individuals for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), ensuring they received food through this federal initiative. Notably, the Maryland Food Bank distributed about 100,000 more pounds of food in January 2019, during the last federal shutdown, compared to the previous year.
While federal workers were expected to receive backpay, federal contractors were not, and both groups faced challenges in meeting their basic needs, including food. Nonprofits and food banks stepped in to fill this gap, offering a lifeline to those struggling during the shutdown. The shutdown highlighted the importance of these organizations in providing essential support to individuals and families during times of economic uncertainty.
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Frequently asked questions
The partial federal government shutdown has not significantly impacted air travel at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. However, there have been concerns regarding the safety implications of the shutdown.
During the government shutdown, federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are required to work without pay. This has resulted in a spate of TSA officers calling off work at major airports, including Detroit Metropolitan Airport, potentially affecting security screenings and air traffic control.
While specific TSA staffing numbers for Detroit Metropolitan Airport have not been disclosed, the rate of unscheduled absences was reported to be 5% nationally, higher than the previous year.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the union for TSA staffers, has sued the federal government over the shutdown, arguing that it is illegal to require federal employees to work without pay.
