‘Blue Flu’: Hundreds Of Unpaid TSA Officials Call Out Sick At Major Airports

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers work unpaid on the first day of the US government shutdown, at LAX Airport in Los Angeles, California on December 22, 2018. - The partial US government shutdown i... Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers work unpaid on the first day of the US government shutdown, at LAX Airport in Los Angeles, California on December 22, 2018. - The partial US government shutdown is set to stretch on through Christmas as the Senate adjourned with no deal to end it in sight. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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In what one official dubbed the “blue flu,” hundreds of blue-uniformed TSA officials have been calling out sick in recent days as the shutdown stretches on and their salaries go unpaid.

According to a Friday CNN report, the mass call-outs have hit New York’s JFK, Texas’ Dallas-Fort Worth and North Carolina’s Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham airports.

The problem will reportedly only worsen as the shutdown drags on and more paychecks are missed. And as workers call out to take care of children or find other sources of employment, remaining airport officials will have to make some serious decisions: long lines and wait times, or less security?

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  1. Avatar for caltg caltg says:

    So much for National Security and safety. CNN is reporting that TSA “call outs sick” have increased 200-300% at a number of major airports.

  2. “…hundreds of blue-uniformed TSA officials have been calling out sick in recent days as the shutdown stretches on and their salaries go unpaid.”

    It’s official: The shutdown has now lasted longer than two of Trump’s marriages.

    (And all of his businesses.)

  3. There is a lot of illness this time of year. I’d think that number should be in the thousands, not just hundreds…

  4. I’m just watching part of Trump’s nonsense today. Kevin (or Steve) McCarthy looks like he wishes the earth would open up and swallow him. Holy cow! Very uncomfortable.

    Ah, Scalise was there. I guess that’s where the wrong name came from. Good grief.

  5. Avatar for caltg caltg says:

    Just wait, this seems to have started only recently. It is being reported that at least some of the “sick outs” are doing so to take other work because they need the cash.

    This could easily turn into a major wildcat strike.

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