Atlanta airport GM speaks on efforts to help TSA agents and ease long security lines

Atlanta airport general manager says high TSA callouts and a partial government shutdown have contributed to two-hour security waits, and he is meeting with policymakers in Washington.

Long security lines have affected travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport this week. Airport general manager Ricky Smith says high Transportation Security Administration callouts and the partial government shutdown have reduced staffing. Two-hour wait times persisted on Friday and some passengers missed flights as checkpoints, including TSA PreCheck and Clear, were closed. Smith is in Washington, D.C., meeting with policymakers and has spoken about worker pay and operational pressures. Known details: - Reported TSA sick-call rates were about 38% at Hartsfield-Jackson, with lower reported rates at other large airports. - Two-hour security waits continued on Friday, and some travelers missed flights amid closed checkpoints. - Airport leadership said many TSA employees have not been paid during the partial government shutdown and noted the effect on staffing and morale. - A software issue also produced inaccurate posted wait times; the airport worked with the vendor to take the application down and repair it. Summary: The staffing and pay issues have coincided with extended security wait times and checkpoint adjustments at the airport. Airport and airline leaders have raised these operational concerns publicly and airport management is meeting with policymakers in Washington to discuss solutions. Undetermined at this time.