Partial Government Shutdown Causes Security Headaches at Certain Airports

Hector International hasn't seen any impacts to its TSA operations - but connecting hubs like Minneapolis and Chicago haven't been as lucky.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The Homeland Security shutdown has hit Transportation Security Administration workers hard – with DHS stating that at least 450 officers have outright quit, while many more call out of work due to lack of payment.

As a smaller regional airport, Hector International hasn’t exactly felt that pinch, but those looking to fly to Fargo from hubs like Minneapolis or Chicago could experience some consternation.

Skyler McKinley of AAA says that there are some options to lessen a long wait, but, at the end of the day, nothing beats extensive preparation.

“There’s nothing you can do to make the line shorter, but you can monitor the situation. Most TSA lines at most major American airports – and also smaller regional airports – are broadcast out,” he said.

McKinley says the silver lining of the situation is that those officers continuing to push through the pain of missing wages remain committed to the objective of their jobs.

“It’d be a lot easier to just wave folks through and not have any lines at all, but the line actually says that the system is working on a safety and security basis, and that’s important,” he said.

Experts also say that traffic at airports in general should begin to ease up as Spring Break season ends, remaining in a kind of lull until Memorial Day signals the begin of summer vacations.