TSA Closing Checkpoints and Other Government Shutdown News
It has been more than 29 days since the United States Federal Government partially shut down as a result of a lapse in funding. While the federal government has experienced its fair share of partial shutdowns, the current shutdown is by far the longest in history. With the shutdown approaching a month, those employed by the federal government are going on two pay cycles without receiving a paycheck. Now, some federal employees are unable to make ends meet or even provide themselves and their families with basic necessities. However, those not employed by the federal government are also experiencing lesser effects, especially as it pertains to air travel.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are three organizations that work to ensure the safety and security of the air transportation industry in the United States. The FAA has been unable to complete standard procedures after much of its workforce was furloughed. As for the DHS Customs and Border Protection wing, many applicants have reported delays in renewing passports or applying for the popular Global Entry service.
During the past week, the shutdown appears to have played a much greater role in the air transportation sector. Here are just a few of the incidents being attributed to the ongoing partial shutdown.
TSA Continues to Close Screening Checkpoints
As a result of a shortage of TSA agents due to the shutdown, the TSA has announced lane closures at multiple major airports. Miami International Airport (MIA) was the first airport to see lane closures (the checkpoint at Miami's G Terminal has been closing early for more than a week now). According to Kris Van Cleave, a travel correspondent at CBS News, Houston-Intercontinental (IAH) has also begun to close certain checkpoints due to a shortage of TSA agents.
Now, yet another major airport has reported a lane closure as a result of the shortage stemming from the shutdown. Baltimore Thurgood-Washington International Airport (BWI) will close checkpoint A at 5:35pm for the foreseeable future. The TSA noted via its official Twitter account that the closure is due to "excessive callouts."
Airports with excessive wait times as a result of increased callouts include all three New York City airports (EWR, LGA, JFK), Atlanta-Hartsfield (ATL), Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) and Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP). The TSA confirmed an increase in callouts and wait times in the agency's most recent daily report, which can be found here. In the report, the TSA noted that 8% of its workforce called off sick.
10 Air Marshals Are Suing the Federal Government
Some federal employees are taking matters into their own hands and going directly to the top. The New York Post is reporting that 10 federal air marshals are suing the federal government as a result of the shutdown. While the group that filed the suit noted that employers may defer payment, it also noted that the employer must pay damages as a result of delayed payment.
The ten air marshals are only identified by their initials to protect their identity over safety and security concerns. The group of ten are suing the federal government on behalf of more than 412,000 federal employees who have either been furloughed or working without pay. The group's lawyer cited the Fair Labor Standards Act as the basis for the suit. The group's lawyer is reportedly quite confident that his clients will win the suit, citing a similar lawsuit filed in 2013 during that partial shutdown. The federal judge handling the case did not respond to the New York Post's request for comment.
Lyft and United Way Providing Relief Rides to Furloughed Workers in the DC Area
With much of Washington DC's residents on the federal government's payroll, it is especially difficult for those furloughed in the DC area to make ends meet being one of the most expensive metro area's in which to live. Numerous organizations have begun providing relief to furloughed employees in the DC area and popular rideshare service Lyft is one of them.
Lyft has already donated to the Capital Area Food Bank and provided $20 gas cards to those impacted by the shutdown. Now, the rideshare service is activating "Relief Rides" for furloughed government employees. The Relief Rides program is part of a partnership with United Way. Furloughed government employees can get two rides free up to $10 through the rideshare service. Furloughed employees looking to get their two free Lyft rides can call DC's 2-1-1 line for a promo code that will activate the two free rides.
Airports, Airlines Continue to Pay for TSA, Air Traffic Controller Meals
At airports across the United States this week, airport officials, airlines and other vendors have picked up the tab for breakfasts, lunches and dinners as a show of support for the unpaid TSA agents. At St. Louis-Lambert International Airport, Southwest Airlines, the airport authority and HMS Hosts have all pitched in to pay for lunch for TSA agents working checkpoints. Other airports that have seen a show of generosity to help out unpaid federal employees include Las Vegas (LAS), Orlando (MCO) and Seattle (SEA).
If you are concerned about delays as a result of the government shutdown, we recommend you first check with your airline to ensure your flight is unaffected by long TSA lines at the departure airport. Additionally, you can see recently reported wait times via the TSA's MyTSA mobile app found in both major app stores.
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Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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
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- 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.
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- 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.
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.