Despite 39 days without pay, TSA officers keep lines moving at Gulfport airport
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Unpaid TSA officers, continue to keep lines moving at Gulfport airport
- Partial DHS funding lapse causes high absences and departures other hubs.
- Grateful community, businesses reach out with meals, gift cards and more.
TSA officers at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport have gone 39 days without pay, but they continue to show up for work and keep passenger lines moving, while passengers at larger airports experience wait times that can extend for hours.
Wednesday afternoon at the Gulfport airport, seven Transportation Security Administration officers cleared a long line for three flights in under 10 minutes. All the while, the employees are going without pay for mortgages, car notes, groceries, utilities and any other bills that they might have during a partial government shutdown.
The shutdown applies mainly to the Department of Homeland Security, which Congress has failed to fund. The impasse remains unresolved.
Thousands of TSA employees are calling in sick. DHS put the number of workers out at 36.6% in Atlanta and 43% in Houston on Tuesday. In addition, 481 TSA officers have left the workforce, DHS says.
“I guess we’re the anomaly because our officers continue to show up for work, despite everything that’s going on,” said Damon Smith, acting assistant federal security director generalist for Mississippi.
South MS reaches out to TSA employees
TSA workers are supporting one another at the Gulfport airport. The staff knows one another and many of the passengers they serve.
“Our officers are probably some of the most dedicated personnel you are going to find,” Smith said. “There is no downgrade to operations. It is business as usual.” The officers not only show up, he said, they’re ready to work.
A grateful airport staff and community have donated food, gas cards and gift cards. Coast restaurants also have offered free meals. Airport vendor Faber, Coe, & Gregg Inc. is offering each Gulfport TSA employee four free meals a week at its Chandeleur Island Brewing Co. restaurant.
“At a time when so many are facing uncertainty, we at Faber felt it was important to step up in a small but meaningful way,” area manager R. Jeremy Campbell said in an email. “As a restaurant operating inside Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, we see firsthand the dedication of the men and women of TSA who show up every day to keep travelers safe—often without recognition, and now under especially difficult circumstances.”
Smith said TSA also has gotten a great deal of support from the airport’s executive director, Clay Williams, and staff. Williams has been impressed by TSA’s dedication and frequently talks about how grateful he is for the TSA employees.
Credit union offers financial relief
Keesler Federal Credit Union is offering financial relief, as it did during a fall furlough. Keesler employees visited the airport to let TSA workers know the Paycheck Relief program is available.
“Through Paycheck Relief, Keesler Federal advances the amount of direct deposit paychecks for eligible federal employees, helping to ensure affected employees can continue meeting their financial obligations until normal pay resumes when the shutdown ends,” a Keesler news release said.
TSA employees who bank elsewhere can still sign up by showing a direct deposit history with three deposit slips from their financial institution.
There is no fee for the service. Once TSA workers receive back pay, Keesler will automatically debit the amount advanced.
Smith said some of the employees are taking advantage of the program. Officers appreciate the community’s support, he said.
“It motivates us to continue to do what we do in spite of everything that’s going on,” Smith said.
This story was originally published March 25, 2026 at 5:02 PM.
