Possible TSA worker shortage from vaccine mandate could hamper Thanksgiving travel plans
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - There's a perfect storm brewing for Thanksgiving Day travelers: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says only about 60% of its workers are vaccinated.
The deadline to get the shot is just two weeks away. It's expected holiday travel will reach 80-90% of pre-pandemic passenger levels. While that's good news, the airline industry is still struggling to keep up with demand.
"Everything in the airline industry is understaffed. You know, we usually recommend getting to the airport two hours ahead of time,” said Jerry Katz.
Katz is a travel agent at First Discount Travel and believes if the TSA loses a large number of employees who won't get vaccinated, it will make your holiday travels a lot less enjoyable.
"If there is some type of level of action in regards to the vaccine mandate, we will bump that up to three hours just to ensure people are making flights and getting through TSA on time,” said Katz.
In October, TSA said roughly 60% of workers are vaccinated. There are no new numbers available, but a TSA spokesman says:
"Federal agencies, including TSA, are laser-focused on vaccinating their workforce ahead of the November 22nd deadline for Federal employees. Like other Federal agencies, we are continuing to collect updated vaccination information from employees as we approach the deadline.”
Whatever the update is, the TSA isn't saying. Its website does say there are 279 employees with active COVID-19 infections.
"This could potentially cause a lot of delays through security, through the airport and a lot of frustrated travelers,” said Omar Kaywan, referring to a likely worker shortage this Thanksgiving.
Kaywan is the founder of Goose Insurance. Travel insurance is something being pushed now more than ever because, if you're canceled or delayed, the right protection can be vital.
"If there’s a delay, you can get meal vouchers; you can get a hotel for a night or a couple nights, whatever is required. That’s always in the benefits,” said Kaywan.
But buyer beware: Goose Insurance is much different than the average airline insurance plan, so make sure you read the fine print before buying from the airline companies.
At this point for unvaccinated TSA workers, the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is the only remaining choice. Workers would have had to get it Monday to be considered "fully vaccinated" by the Nov. 22 deadline.
