The TSA is failing to properly use billions of dollars in funding to ease the ongoing travel chaos at JFK Airport in Queens — and things will only get worse in November and December, warns Sen. Chuck Schumer.
The New York Democrat said he told Transportation Security Administration chief David Pekoske on Thursday, “Airports across New York City cannot be known for hourslong TSA lines.
“I’ve worked to allocate the TSA the federal funds needed to meet the mark here, and now they must deliver.”
More than $9 billion was approved for TSA improvement in the latest massive $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill, including $4 million for increased hiring of security officers.
“The TSA line at JFK has people packed like sardines for hours!” Schumer said. “Hours of waiting in security lines at New York City airports is unacceptable, especially given the funds are there to avoid this kind of thing.”
The federal agency was quick to point out that last week’s delays at JFK were unusual and caused by exceeded projections of more than 1,200 travelers.
Sen. Chuck Schumer gave an earful to the Transportation Security Administration chief Thursday, telling him to fix the chaos at Kennedy Airport before it got worse during the holiday travel later this year. Chris Kleponis – Pool via CNP / MEGA
“Airports across New York City cannot be known for hourslong TSA lines,” the Senate majority leader told the agency’s administrator, David Pekoske. AP“JFK is nearly fully staffed with 1,474 Transportation Security Officers (TSO) on board and 98.8% of its allotted employee resources,” according to TSA Press Secretary Robert Langston.
In addition to long security lines, New York City area airports are also facing a shortage of air traffic controllers, the Federal Aviation Administration acknowledged. As a result, flights are limited in and out of the Big Apple until October.
More than $9 billion was approved for TSA improvement in the latest $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill. BRIGITTE STELZER
“The TSA line at JFK has people packed like sardines for hours!” Schumer said. Getty ImagesAirlines including Delta, American, United and JetBlue have agreed to cuts at LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy airports in New York and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.
