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American Airlines Calls in Reinforcements to Help the TSA

May 18, 2016
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2 min read
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American Airlines Calls in Reinforcements to Help the TSA
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Security lines at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport have become unbearably long. Last week, passengers at the nation's third busiest airport experienced wait times in excess of 2 1/2 hours, an AA spokesperson told the Daily Herald. American Airlines had to delay 30 flights on Sunday and provide cots for passengers that missed the last flights of the day. Last week, almost 800 people missed flights and since February there have been over 4,500 people that have missed flights at the airport. Passengers have now been advised to arrive up to three hours early for their flights.

American Airlines is hiring workers to assist the TSA with the screening process.

American Airlines, who occupies the busy Terminal 3 at ORD, has decided to take matters into its own hands and hire a force of workers to assist the TSA with the screening process. The airline believes that the extra workers will speed up the process by collecting and handing out x-ray bins as well as instructing passengers to take off their shoes, remove laptops, etc. This will hopefully free up the TSA agents to focus on screening each passenger.

The problem at O'Hare is not a unique one, unfortunately. Airports all around the country are experiencing abnormally long security lines amid a cutback in TSA personnel. Despite increased air travel this year, the TSA has cut the force of screeners it employs by 10% (about 4,600 employees). There isn't much hope for a reduction in wait times anytime soon, as experts have suggested that an additional 6,000 screeners are needed while only about 800 will be hired by next month. If you're planning on flying at all this summer, you should sign up for TSA PreCheck right now in order to reduce the time you spend waiting in line.

H/T: Daily Herald

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.