Congress needs to fix the TSA mess

A thick haze of unease and uncertainty still hovers over the state of U.S. air travel — and it likely won’t dissipate anytime soon.

That’s true even as some good news filtered through our nation’s airports last week. Transportation Security Administration workers began to receive overdue paychecks after President Donald Trump bypassed congressional gridlock by declaring the lack of funding for TSA agents a threat to national security. Security lines have eased at many airports. Even so, some workers have reported receiving less money than expected and wondering whether their next check will come at all.

On top of the difficulties passengers have had getting to their gates are ongoing concerns about safety once they are on board. Serious questions about the nation’s air traffic control system — from staffing to adequate technology — percolate, especially after last month’s fatal accident at LaGuardia Airport, when an Air Canada jet collided with a fire truck on a runway, killing both pilots. Officials are reportedly looking into whether one of the two air traffic controllers stepped away from the work station before the incident occurred. As the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation continues, air travelers seek reassurances and safety upgrades.

All of this comes as members of Congress have been on holiday recess for the last two weeks, away from Washington despite plenty of unfinished business. As they return to work this week, air travel must be top priority.

That starts with the TSA. The Department of Homeland Security shutdown remains in effect, leaving TSA workers, who fall under the DHS umbrella, in limbo. Trump tried to close the gap temporarily, but that’s not enough.

Congress must make the real fix. Before their departure, Republican leaders from the House and Senate had seemingly agreed upon a possible strategy that would fund DHS except for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and parts of Customs and Border Patrol. Democrats did not want to fund DHS in full unless without changes in ICE procedures. But House GOP hard-liners resisted, leaving any potential deal in doubt. The finger-pointing continues, with no clear path to resolution.

WORKERS NEED ASSURANCE

Enough. TSA workers should know that they’ll be paid — regularly and in full. Passengers must be assured of getting through security lines without waiting hours for screening and risking missed flights. Rep. Andrew Garbarino, who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee, understands this. He should use his clout to lead the way.

Federal officials must prevent a repeat of this mess. Critical agencies like TSA cannot be held hostage in budget fights.

Travelers using San Francisco International Airport during the shutdown found wait times far more acceptable than those at LaGuardia or Kennedy. One reason: SFO participates in the TSA’s Screening Partnership Program, which allows commercial airports to use private contractors for their security, albeit with TSA’s continued oversight.

About 20 airports do so; far more should. The White House seems to recognize the possibilities, as Trump’s 2027 budget plan cuts thousands of TSA jobs in favor of expanding private security efforts. That could work, especially if the government employees are grandfathered into the new ranks. But any initiative must remain a public-private partnership with the federal government responsible for oversight, training and standardized procedures and that retains current staff who have the necessary skills and knowledge. By finding a balance between shielding security personnel from budgetary unpredictability, while maintaining the extraordinarily high safety standards required, we could avoid security delays like those of recent weeks.

SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT

Even if passengers get to the gate without incident, safety in the air and on the ground must be paramount. The Federal Aviation Administration is asking to hire 2,300 air traffic controllers to alleviate its staffing shortage, and budget proposals include billions of dollars for equipment and facility upgrades. New York’s busy network must see some of those funds. But that isn’t enough. Recruitment, training and retention all remain critical challenges. And it’s worth examining whether there are better ways to handle the various pieces of the complex air and ground control network, perhaps by giving airlines a greater role in maneuvering traffic on the ground and getting aircraft efficiently to their gates.

This is a pivotal moment for the nation’s vulnerable air travel industry. The precarious situation not only affects individual travelers, their quality of life and their well-being, but it also has a broad impact on the nation’s economy. Businesses large and small depend on air travel to foster their growth and strength. The dysfunction and turmoil that has pervaded our airports and control towers must give way to a greater focus on safety and stability. That means putting the TSA and the FAA on firmer footing, giving our security and air traffic personnel the tools, funds and equipment they need to do their jobs, and considering new ways to tackle changing needs.

Only then can we all get back to enjoying the flight.