ATLANTA — Over a thousand flights have been delayed or canceled at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday following severe weather and ongoing staffing shortages at security checkpoints.
Travelers at some of the nation’s busiest airports are experiencing long lines at security checkpoints as TSA workers call in sick or quit because they are not getting paid during the partial government shutdown.
According to the airport’s website, the main checkpoint currently shows a nearly hour wait time.
Data from FlightAware shows at least 789 flights delayed and another 312+ flights canceled at Hartsfield-Jackson.
“Patience is a virtue as they say, so we’re going to be patient,” traveler Christina said.
Congress remains deadlocked on funding the Department of Homeland Security as Democrats demand an agreement first on changes to immigration enforcement.
Wait times at the airport’s main security checkpoint eclipsed two hours earlier Monday morning.
“It was frustrating last night to come in and have our Delta flight canceled and to then not be reaccommodated until today, which was then also canceled,” another traveler said. ”So a little frustrated, we’re just trying to get home to Florida. But like I said everyone has been nice. We got a hotel, slept in, and now we’re back and now we’re trying again."