ORLANDO, Fla. – Funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapsed last month as lawmakers remained at odds over restrictions for federal immigration agents. That lapse left many federal employees who work at airports on the job without pay.
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is hosting a food drive to assist Transportation Security Administration agents and other federal workers who are working without pay during the funding lapse. The drive will collect nonperishable food, cleaning and laundry supplies, diapers, pet supplies and $10 gift cards for gas or grocery stores.
TSA agents screen thousands of travelers every day and air traffic controllers keep flights moving, a point travelers stressed as a reason to support unpaid federal workers.
“I mean, it’s awful for them,” traveler Lauralai Wild said. “I hope it’s resolved quickly and that they go back to getting the pay for the work that they deserve.”
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One traveler suggested a longer-term fix to avoid unpaid work for air travel employees during funding lapses.
“I feel [air travel] is something that’s federally authorized. Anything that’s federally authorized, they should pay for. So that’s something that I think there should be a fund set away for people who are working,” Justin Brown said. “It makes me sad. Anybody that’s working I feel like should get paid.”
If you’d like to donate, please bring your contributions to the following locations:
- Orlando International Airport (Terminal C Departures Curb): From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 6, through Monday, March 9, and additional days as needed
- Orlando Executive Airport (ORL), 365 Rickenbacker Drive, Orlando: From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until further notice
Passengers may drop off items at the Information booths, located on the Departures level at Terminals A, B and C.
GOAA encourages passengers to use the FlyMCO website or Orlando MCO app to stay up to date on airport operations during this time.