At Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, one of Minnesota’s busiest places and the state’s biggest economic driver, operations continue even as the federal government shutdown drags on. Among the hardest hit are Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees, many of whom have now missed paychecks.
Neal Gosman, a TSA officer and union representative for AFGE Local 899, says the impact of the shutdown depends on each worker’s financial situation. “We’re not getting paid right now,” he explained. “Our last paycheck came a week ago Friday, and it was only a partial one that covered work through the end of September.”
Gosman has worked at the airport since the TSA was formed after the September 11 attacks, nearly 21 years ago. He says shutdowns aren’t new to him, but for many of the roughly 600 TSA agents at MSP, it’s the first time they’ve experienced one. The uncertainty is taking a toll on morale. “Some of the older employees say, ‘we’ll tough it out,’” Gosman said. “But younger agents are worried. They have rent, families, and student loans to pay.”
During the 2019 shutdown, many officers had to take on side jobs or rely on community support to get by. “It was pretty sad,” Gosman recalled. “A food bank was set up for TSA employees who were running out of food and money. People were given gas cards just to get to work.” Although wages have improved since then, he’s already hearing that a food bank is being organized again for affected employees.
Despite the personal struggles, the TSA staff at MSP are continuing to show up for work and keep the airport running smoothly. Sunday marked one of the busiest travel days of Minnesota’s MEA weekend, but many passengers said their travel experience went better than expected.
“They told us to arrive early, but we didn’t really need to,” said traveler Lori Matthys from Maple Grove after returning from Las Vegas. Another passenger, Mark from Minneapolis, who had flown in from Philadelphia, added, “I was expecting long lines and delays, but we breezed right through.”
Gosman says this commitment from TSA workers is a sign of their professionalism and dedication, even under stressful conditions. “We want passengers to know we’re doing the best we can,” he said. “We’re showing up, doing our jobs, and trying to maintain safety and order despite not being paid.”
Still, he worries about what could happen if the shutdown continues. Federal employees are legally barred from striking, leaving them with few options to protest or demand relief. “If this goes on much longer,” Gosman warned, “we might start losing people. Some just can’t afford to keep working without pay.”
For now, TSA agents continue to balance their duty to the public with the strain of financial uncertainty. They remain on the front lines of keeping air travel safe, even as they wait for answers — and their next paycheck.
