Delta suspends specialty services for members of Congress as TSA officials remain unpaid

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Amid the partial government shutdown that has disrupted work at airports, Delta Air Lines has decided to temporarily suspend special services provided to members of Congress. The “specialty services” for lawmakers reportedly include airport escorts and Red Coat assistance.

According to reports, absences have increased among Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials, who have been forced to work without pay during the funding stoppage. The reduced number of staff has resulted in long lines at America's airports.

Delta suspends specialty services

In a statement to CBS News, Delta said Tuesday, March 24, “Due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta.”

“Next to safety, Delta's No. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment,” the airline added.

However, some Congress members may still get preference but that totally depends on their status as SkyMiles members.

Airlines CEOs call out govt shutdown

The decision came after many airline CEOs wrote an open letter to Congress, calling out the non-payment of federal aviation workers, including TSA officers, US Customs clearance officers, and air traffic controllers.

“That is simply unacceptable. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to put food on the table, put gas in the car and pay rent when you are not getting paid,” they said.

In the letter, they further added that the issue “is solvable, and there are solutions on the table. Now it’s up to you, Congress, to move forward on bipartisan proposals that will get federal aviation workers—including TSA officers, US Customs clearance officers at airports and air traffic controllers—paid during shutdowns.”

Delta CEO says using security agents as 'political chips' is 'ridiculous' 

Delta CEO Ed Bastian sat down for an interview with CNBC. Sharing his thoughts on the chaos, he said, “It's inexcusable that our security agents, front-line workers central to what we do, are not being paid. It's ridiculous to see them used as political chips.”

“We're outraged. Over 90 per cent of the American public supports these people getting paid. Ask our folks in Washington to do their job and get our people paid. They can do it,” he added.

Since mid-February, Republicans and Democrats have been clashing over the DHS’ funding amid the ICE crackdown across the country that also saw the killings of two US citizens – Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Democrats have put forth some demands regarding the ICE agents — like prohibition of masks for the officials and stricter warrant requirements for public arrests —  before resuming the funding.