Government Shutdown: Airlines Treat TSA to Meals, Aircraft Delivery Delays & More
Update: An erroneous Tweet from an air travel publication stated that AA could not take delivery of its first A321neo. A spokesperson from AA confirmed that this was indeed false and that AA is taking delivery of aircraft without issue.
The partial shutdown of the United States federal government will shortly hit the 22-day mark. This Friday, the shutdown became the longest in US history.
Government employees remain unpaid or furloughed, as neither political party seems to be willing to compromise or even discuss a deal to put an end to the shutdown. And clerical work and paperwork appear to be the newest casualties. The FAA is unable to carry out routine procedures such as assigning US tail numbers to aircraft assembled abroad. This means airlines are experiencing delays with delivery of new aircraft, and some are even reporting growing concerns over safety. Here are a few noteworthy stories on the 21st day of the shutdown.
TSA Is Still Without Pay, Prompting Airlines, Airports to Pay for Meals
Those employed by through the federal government are either furloughed (nonessential) or going without a paycheck during the shutdown. While this is old news, federal employees have now gone two pay cycles without receiving pay. This means many of those working for agencies like the TSA are facing extreme financial difficulties.
To alleviate the stress of those working TSA checkpoints, some airlines and airport operators have been buying TSA agents breakfast and lunch. At St. Louis-Lambert International Airport (STL), Southwest employees surprised TSA agents in Terminal 2 with breakfast this past week.
At New York-LaGuardia (LGA), a passenger terminal operator, LaGuardia Partners, surprised TSA agents working security at Terminal B with lunch on Friday.
While there were some reports earlier in the week of a "sickout," in which TSA agents were calling in sick, it appears the impact has been quite limited. While TSA agents don't seem to be calling out of work in droves, the union that represents the TSA has warned the public that agents are seeking other opportunities.
TSA Agents Are Looking for Work Elsewhere, Turning to GoFundMe
With no end to the shutdown in sight and having gone two pay cycles without pay, some TSA agents are simply quitting and looking for work elsewhere. According to Time Money, the American Federation of Government Employees has reported a significant increase in the number of TSA agents quitting to pursue other lines of work. The union's TSA Council president, Hydrick Thomas, said to Time Money that "Every day [he's] getting calls from members about their extreme financial hardship and need for a paycheck. Some of them have already quit and many are considering quitting the federal workforce because of the shutdown.”
It is not clear how many TSA agents have left their positions since the start of the shutdown, and the effect of TSA agents leaving their posts is also not known at this time. TSA agents are already among some of the lowest-paid federal employees, with many working paycheck to paycheck.
While some TSA agents are looking for work elsewhere, others who are hoping to continue working at the agency have turned to the popular crowdfunding website GoFundMe for financial assistance. The Burlington Free Press is reporting that Anthony Morselli, a TSA agent at Burlington Airport (BTV) in Vermont, has set up a GoFundMe to help pay his bills during the shutdown. "To see a zero balance in your bank account really hurts. Some of us live paycheck to paycheck. Today would be payday and no money’s coming in," Morselli said in an interview with The Burlington Free Press. Both Anthony Morselli and his wife are TSA agents at the Vermont airport.
Delayed Aircraft Deliveries
Reports of aircraft delivery delays due to the shutdown have surfaced in recent weeks. Regional carrier Silver Airways of Florida has been unable to inaugurate its new ATR-72 turboprop, and while it was reported that Delta Air Lines was unable to take delivery of some Airbus A220s, it's still unclear if that report was true, as the airline has stated that it still plans on operating the first A220 flights as scheduled.
TSA Administrator Issues $500 Awards to TSA Officers
TSA Administrator David P. Pekoske also announced via Twitter Friday night that active-duty TSA agents would be issued a $500 award in recognition of their hard work. Pekoske acknowledged that this past holiday travel season was the busiest on record. During that period, TSA agents screened over 45 million travelers without incident. Yet, due to the shutdown, agents are not getting paid for this period. The tweet says that each “uniformed screening officer” would receive the award.
The shutdown will enter the 22nd day at midnight eastern time tonight. The federal government partially shut down in late December following a dispute over funding for border security at the US-Mexico border.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 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.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $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.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- 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.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $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.