Morale of TSA agents at PDX 'beneath the ground now'
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Travelers at Portland International Airport are understandably frustrated with the uncertainty surrounding FAA-ordered flight cutbacks due to the ongoing government shutdown. But they're not the only people at the airport who are stressed.
TSA agents haven't gotten a full paycheck since September, said Grant Linscomb, the steward for the American Federation of Government Employees TSA Local 1127.
Morale is "beneath the ground right now. It's very, very, very low," Linscomb told KOIN 6 News. "I mean, where we're all struggling to get through this and, you know, some passengers are very understanding, you know, they thank us for being there. And we appreciate such platitudes. But, you know, that only gets us so far when we have families to feed and bills to pay."
On top of the low morale and high stress, air traffic controllers were publicly criticized by President Trump in a Truth Social post. Trump said the air traffic controllers who did not work without pay would be "substantially docked" and said those who wanted to quit should not hesitate.
Many TSA agents are dipping into their retirement funds and savings just to keep a roof over their heads.
Inside PDX is a hidden room stocked with dry goods, diapers and household supplies, all donated to support federal workers during this time.
The TSA agents were given a letter from the federal government to give to creditors and landlords asking for a grace period to pay their bills. But agents who spoke with KOIN 6 News said not everyone is accepting those letters.
KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.