Delta CEO blasts Congress over unpaid TSA agents as airport chaos

Delta CEO blasts Congress over unpaid TSA agents as airport chaos

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian tore into Congress for forcing airport safety agents to work without pay, calling the state of affairs “inexcusable” and accusing lawmakers of utilizing frontline staff as “political chips” while a partial authorities shutdown drags into its fifth week.

“It’s inexcusable that our security agents, our frontline agents, that are essential to what we do, are not being paid, and it’s ridiculous to see them being used as political chips,” Bastian told CNBC on Tuesday.

“We’re outraged.”

The airline boss said Delta is already seeing the affect, with staffing shortages at safety checkpoints fueling longer strains and delays at major hubs — including Atlanta, the place prolonged wait occasions flared over the weekend.

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian blasted Congress for forcing TSA agents to work without pay, calling the state of affairs “inexcusable.” CNBC

“We certainly are [seeing it],” Bastian said, noting the disruptions are likely to hit hardest on weekends.

He said climate worsened the state of affairs however careworn the underlying issue is unpaid staff.

The standoff in Washington has left about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers working without pay since mid-February after lawmakers did not fund the Department of Homeland Security.

Last week, Senate Democrats blocked a invoice that would restore funding to DHS for the fourth time in the past month as more than 5,000 flights had been delayed and 500 others had been cancelled.

Despite being deemed important, those staff have now missed not less than one paycheck and won’t be compensated until Congress reaches a deal.

Airport safety strains swell as unpaid TSA officers continue working during the partial authorities shutdown. AFP through Getty Images

The monetary pressure is already rippling via the workforce.

Call-out charges have more than doubled, and not less than 300 TSA officers have reportedly give up since the shutdown started.

Many remaining agents are struggling to cowl basic bills such as hire, automobile funds and childcare.

The staffing crunch has spilled into airports nationwide.

Some checkpoints have been shut solely, forcing vacationers into fewer strains and triggering wait occasions lasting two to 3 hours — and in some instances even longer — at major airports including Atlanta, Houston and New Orleans.

Airlines have been scrambling to handle the disruption, holding flights for delayed passengers and rebooking others when doable.

“There’s been some [impact], we do our best to hold flights where we can. It’s not a massive issue,” Bastian told CNBC, downplaying the operational hit to Delta’s network.

He framed the disaster when it comes to basic equity.

“These people missed paychecks just a few months ago. They’re missing paychecks again. It’s outrageous,” he said.

Bastian’s remarks come as airline chiefs have been escalating stress on Congress, warning that the state of affairs is each unsustainable and avoidable.

TSA agents display screen passengers as staffing shortages tied to the DHS shutdown set off lengthy strains and delays at airports nationwide. Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Post

In a March 15 open letter to lawmakers, the CEOs of major US airways — including Delta, American, United, Southwest and JetBlue — urged instant action to revive pay for federal aviation staff.

“There are very few issues upon which 9 out of 10 Americans agree,” the executives wrote, citing polling displaying 93% of Americans assist paying TSA staff during shutdowns.

People wait on a TSA line at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. AP

The letter warned that lengthy safety strains and delays will only worsen if agents continue working without pay, noting that Americans are “uninterested in lengthy strains at airports, journey delays and flight cancellations attributable to shutdown after shutdown.

“TSA officers just received $0 paychecks. That is simply unacceptable,” the CEOs wrote, including that it’s “difficult, if not impossible” for staff to afford basic requirements without earnings.

Long strains seen at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago on March 26, 2026. Anadolu through Getty Images

The executives called on Congress to move laws that would assure pay for TSA officers, air visitors controllers and customs agents during future shutdowns — and to instantly fund DHS to end the current deadlock.

The Post has sought remark from lawmakers.

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