People Show #Gratitude for Unpaid TSA Workers and Other Government Shutdown News
In an effort to boost countrywide morale, people throughout the US have been posting acts of gratitude on social media for the unpaid TSA workers. These acts of kindness have been coming in many forms, ranging from organized food drives by nonprofits to simple gestures made by individuals.
For example: Normally, the non-profit "Doing Our Part" food truck parks outside of schools to feed hungry children during breaks. However, on Thursday the truck parked outside of the Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston to offer TSA agents free food. While there, more than 300 lunches were given out.
Free food and food drives have been a popular way in which people are showing gratitude for the unpaid government workers, as it is illegal to directly tip TSA agents. Yesterday, St. Louis Lambert International Airport received food donations from HMSHost, an airport food-service company. And today, McDonald's donated meals to Pittsburgh International Airport. Even celebrities have been pitching in, with members of the band KISS offering free meals at their Rock & Brews restaurant in El Segundo, California.
As for individual efforts, people have been going above and beyond merely tweeting their thanks. Some have directly donated money and some have offered up home-cooked meals.
In other government-shutdown news:
- PHL TSA employees permitted free public transportation in Philly
One of the many plights furloughed government employees have been facing during the shutdown is the inability to afford basic necessities like food for their family, pay bills, buy gas and public transportation. While not a fix to everything, the city of Philadelphia has decided to step in and help out by permitting all uniformed TSA workers to travel for free on the SEPTA system to and from the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
SEPTA includes buses, trains, subway and trolleys throughout Philidelphia.
- Superbowl travel poses challenges at ATL
If Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is already considered the world's busiest airport, just wait until Superbowl Sunday.
ATL is in prep mode for the big event — and with the addition of the government shutdown, it's not going to be easy. At a transportation committee meeting, ATL General Manager John Selden said that the airport is expecting 110,000-115,000 passengers on Feb. 4, the Monday after the game. To remedy this, the TSA plans on flying in 120 agents, 12 additional dog teams and additional technical support.
"We are hopeful the shutdown will be over by then," Selden said. "They (TSA) are ready to support the event, but that morning will be a challenging morning. If we are at 100 percent staff with 18,000 volunteers, I think we'll do an outstanding job, but we cannot control the sick callouts of TSA and Customs and Border Protection."
- Delta helps reopen MLK National Historical Park
Thanks to a $83,500 grant via Delta Air Lines, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta will reopen despite being closed since the onset of the government shutdown. The grant is enough to maintain the park for 16 days, stretching just long enough not only the eponymous holiday but also for those visiting Atlanta for the Superbowl on Feb. 3 to drop in and pay their respects to the late civil rights activist.
Other national parks that chose to remain open during the shutdown have been jumping some interesting hurdles throughout the past four weeks. Funding for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is now coming directly from New York State, Yosemite Park had to close certain campgrounds due to an overflow of garbage and human feces, and people have, for whatever reason, been damaging the Joshua trees in Joshua Tree Park.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter here: https://thepointsguy.com/mailing-list//
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees