Though there are few positives from the partial government shutdown – now in its second month – airports and concessionaires around the country are taking action to help federal airport workers, including Transportation Security Administration, Federal Aviation Administration and Homeland Security employees, who continue to show up despite not getting paid.
These efforts include discounts on meals from leading concessionaires, including Paradies Lagardère and HMSHost. “The overall concern for these employees by airports, airlines and concessionaires, and the individual and collective efforts demonstrated by each, shows a common and genuine appreciation for the important work performed by these federal workers, as well the true community spirit of our industry,” says Gregg Paradies, president and CEO of Paradies Lagardère.
Paradies says the company’s retail division recently boosted its discount to 35 percent for TSA, Customs and Air Traffic Control workers. The discount is for food and beverage-related products in all the company’s travel essentials stores. “Additionally, our new dining division, which grew significantly due to our recent acquisition of HBF, will offer a 20 percent discount at designated restaurants in all airports where we operate our dining program,” he adds.
HMSHost COO Jeff Yablun says the concessionaire is working with airport partners to provide support for impacted workers by way of additional employee discounts, special meals, and food drives. “We appreciate the crucial work federal employees in the airport community do day in and day out, especially during this partial government shutdown,” he says.
There have been a few instances of longer security lines at U.S. airports, and federal officials restricted flights in and out of LaGuardia Airport on Friday as a result of more federal workers taking sick leave.
But to their credit, the vast majority of federal employees are continuing to show up to do their essential airport jobs, and, as a result, the impact on airport operations around the country has been minimal.
Many airports are also getting creative to help the impacted workers feed their families during this political standoff.
Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) teamed up with the local Second Harvest Food Bank to distribute food and other needed goods to federal airport workers. “It’s important that we collaborate with Second Harvest Food Bank and other community partners and demonstrate how much we care about our fellow employees, so they can feed their families during this difficult period,” says Judy Ross, assistant director of aviation.
San Francisco International (SFO) requested terminal restaurants and other concessionaires offer a 50 percent discount to federal employees who continue to show up to work. “Our goal is to ease the financial hardship on federal government employees at SFO who are personally affected by this government shutdown,” says airport director Ivar Satero. “We appreciate the work of our airport concessions, and we will continue to seek out ways to help our affected teammates.”
SFO is also providing information on where the impacted workers can find assistance services and set up “shutdown support” drop-in hours at the SFO Business and Career Center, where workers can meet with specialists on managing unexpected financial challenges.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is offering TSA and other federal workers up to $20 in free food daily as a way of showing support during the government shutdown. “Our governmental partners have shown a level of commitment and professionalism that is unmatched,” says Chad Newton, CEO of the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA), operators of DTW and the nearby Willow Run Airport. “Although they’re not being paid, they come to work each day and continue to provide the excellent customer service our travelers expect.”
In addition to the meals, DTW officials have partnered with Paradies Lagardère, Delta Air Lines and the hunger assistance program Forgotten Harvest on a food drive for the unpaid workers that has already netted more than $3,000 in food donations.
Among the many other airport efforts nationwide is Seattle Tacoma International Airport’s (SEA) program. There, donations of non-perishable food and gifts cards are collected and distributed daily to the impacted workers. In addition, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International (BHM) last week invited the local Avadian Credit Union to offer 0 percent 60-day loans to federal employees to help pay bills and necessities during the shutdown and is also providing meals and other services.
“We know it can be difficult going without a paycheck, especially for those with families,” Sylvester Lavender, Birmingham Airport Authority’s interim president and CEO says. “And because we’re like family at BHM, we’ve partnered with Avadian Credit Union to help our fellow TSA and FAA agents have easier access to funds to meet their financial needs and obligations.”
