COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The head of Transportation Security Administration operations for Ohio has praised workers remaining on the job amid the government shutdown.
TSA employees will have missed two paychecks if the shutdown continues Friday.
The Columbus Dispatch reports TSA Ohio Director Don Barker recently told the board of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority that TSA's absenteeism rate in central Ohio is "about 2 percent" and operations are running smoothly for now. He says security lanes would have to start shutting down if the rate reaches 50 percent.
Some airports in the country have reported around 10 percent absenteeism, forcing cutbacks in security checkpoints.
Officials at John Glenn Columbus International Airport say food and gift cards have been pouring in for workers and businesses and organizations are offering free meals and clothing discounts.
