Philly TSA reopens all but one security checkpoint at PHL airport
TSA security checkpoints are reopening at PHL Airport now that TSA agents have started receiving paychecks after weeks without pay, which led to staff shortages.
Philadelphia International Airport is reopening some of its security checkpoints after weeks of Transportation Security Administration staff shortages. Now, all but one are open.
Security checkpoints at Terminals A-West, A-East, B, C, and D/E are open. Terminal F remains closed on Friday, but will reopen on Tuesday, according to a PHL spokesperson.
Checkpoints A-West, C, and F had been closed due to TSA staff shortages in relation to the partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which TSA falls under. But those Terminals A-West and C reopened Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Philadelphia TSA staff have finally started receiving paychecks after more than a month without pay because of the shutdown. During those weeks with no pay, many TSA workers called out of work, with Houston having the most call outs, leading to three-hour delays at security checkpoints on some days.
Philly TSA members showed up to work for the most part, and PHL had minimal delays during the weeks of staff shortages. However, President Donald Trump deployed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to 14 U.S. airports, including PHL, during the DHS funding freeze.
Agents mostly stood by security checkpoints observing travelers, or stood at the entrance of security lanes, directing travelers to prepare their IDs for TSA and answering basic airport questions for passersby.
While most travelers remained neutral or ignored the immigration enforcement agents, some shook their hands and thanked them for their service. During ICE’s presence at the airports, protesters showed up on multiple days to demand that ICE leave the city’s airport and public spaces.
Despite TSA agents receiving pay again, ICE agents may remain at airports, including PHL. At the time of publishing wait times at PHL security checkpoints were minimal, except Terminal B, which has a nearly 40 minute wait time.