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Long delays reported at Atlanta's airport
Very long delays are being reported Monday morning at the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Delays are now at least a couple of hours due to a combination of severe weather and TSA shortages caused by partial government shutdown.
ATLANTA - A potent combination of severe weather and critical staffing shortages has triggered widespread disruption at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, leaving thousands of travelers facing massive delays and cancellations Monday morning.
What they're saying:
Airport officials reported 305 delayed flights and a steadily increasing number of cancellations as of 9 a.m. Monday as thunderstorms moved through the Southeast. The weather system, which has already prompted virtual learning days for some local students, is also impacting major hubs in New York and Boston. Delta Air Lines has responded by issuing a travel waiver, offering flexible rebooking options for passengers whose plans are threatened by the storms. A ground stop is currently in effect at Atlanta's airport until at least 12:30 p.m.
Adding to the meteorological chaos, TSA security wait times at the main checkpoint skyrocketed to more than two hours early Monday. As of 9 a.m., the wait time is approximately 90 minutes in the main and north terminals.
The bottleneck is being attributed to ongoing TSA staffing shortages. Many employees are currently working without paychecks due to broader federal funding issues. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the union representing TSA workers, is scheduled to hold a press conference this afternoon to address the working conditions as employees face their second missed pay cycle in recent months.
Travelers are encouraged to check their flight status before heading to the airport and to allow at least three hours to navigate security checkpoints.
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Serious delays at Hartsfield-Jackson airport
Serious delays are happening Monday morning at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport because of weather and the partial government shutdown that is impacting TSA.