Kalamazoo Airport Workers Rally to Support Unpaid TSA Employees During Government Shutdown

Airport Staff Donate Food and Essentials to TSA Agents Working Without Pay

*KALAMAZOO, MI* — Transportation Security Administration agents at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport are receiving crucial support from their colleagues during the ongoing government funding shutdown.

Airport and air traffic control administration employees are donating food and essential items to the local TSA staff who are currently working without pay, according to Public Relations Coordinator Thomas Larthridge.

The air traffic control team donated bags of essentials and the airport team donated lunch on Wednesday, March 25, Larthridge said. "The AZO community has been actively stepping up to support local TSA staff," Larthridge said.

Around two dozen TSA employees work within the Kalamazoo facility, he said. "Contributions of approved items are welcomed and appreciated, as TSA employees continue to report to work each day despite the uncertainty surrounding the duration of the shutdown," Larthridge said.

Community Responsibility During Crisis

The TSA is currently in a nationwide shutdown that has created hardships for unpaid TSA workers, TSA administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill testified at a House hearing Wednesday, the Associated Press reported.

"We feel like it's our responsibility as a community to show up for them," Larthridge said.

What TSA Workers Can Accept

TSA employees are permitted to accept certain forms of support, Larthridge said, including essentials like toiletries and food that can be easily and fairly distributed among all staff. Gas cards are also especially helpful, he said, given rising fuel costs.

TSA employees are not permitted to accept cash, personal gifts, or any items that could be seen as favoring one individual over another, Larthridge said.

Nationwide Impact

The situation at Kalamazoo mirrors challenges facing TSA workers across the country. Hundreds of TSA officers have quit since the shutdown started, according to their union, the American Federation of Government Employees.

The air traffic control and airport teams at AZO have stepped up to ensure their colleagues can continue to serve travelers during this difficult period.

"The AZO community has been actively stepping up to support local TSA staff"

— Thomas Larthridge, Public Relations Coordinator

"We feel like it's our responsibility as a community to show up for them"

— Thomas Larthridge, Public Relations Coordinator

What This Means for AZO Travelers

The donations help maintain operational continuity at the airport even as federal funding remains uncertain. TSA agents continue to screen passengers and ensure security, though the shutdown has created financial strain for workers nationwide.

The airport administration hopes the support will encourage TSA staff to remain at their posts as the shutdown situation evolves.