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I fly several times a week for business and fun. The government shutdown in the United States has made me quite nervous about delays and cancellations with horror stories of people waiting six hours in the TSA PreCheck lines or flight delays and cancellations getting extreme due to ATC staffing shortages. Thankfully, I have yet to experience any of this and I’m hoping that my winter home airport: Tampa International Airport (TPA) keeps on being amazing.
I live 12 minutes from the airport and love that I can pull up, go through security, take the airside shuttle, pre-order Starbucks, clear security, and board in less than 25 minutes total. My alarm did not go off as planned this morning, but I still jumped out of bed, got ready, and made it to the gate before boarding with an iced latte in hand.
Looking at Tampa this week and last, you would not know that there is a government shutdown. Lines are short (especially TSA PreCheck) and the airport is humming as usual. I’m hoping that by writing this that I am not jinxing myself, but it’s so refreshing to be able to travel to/from Tampa International Airport (TPA) in the winter and the direct opposite of the other half of my year that I spend traveling to/from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
It’s not perfect and maybe I have been lucky, but I am always so much calmer heading into Tampa International Airport (TPA) versus others. Yesterday, November 3rd saw 50 out of 500 flights delayed and one cancellation. That’s not great, but it shines compared to how so many other airports across the country are performing. I’m in flight as I write this and I got from curb to gate in under 10 minutes. Here’s hoping that trend continues and I still look forward to seeing Phoebe the giant flamingo as this shutdown drags on.
I’d be remiss if I also did not give a shoutout to the social media team for the airport as they keep me laughing and do a great job with updates, news, and more.
Anthony’s Take: We’re weeks away from Thanksgiving and many airports are feeling the squeeze of passenger volume, security staffing shortages, and air traffic controllers being overburdened. I’m hopeful that the two sides of our very divided government can figure something out, get these employees paid as working without a check is ridiculous, and sort this all out before the holidays. If not, I fear even my beloved airport in the Sunshine State will feel the pain come Turkey Day.
(Image Credit: Tampa International Airport.)
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2 comments
My home airport is also TPA. Flew out of it on Oct 23, and TSA agents were as friendly as they always are, despite the shutdown. Flew out again on Nov. 3 (on time). This time, I brought 12 $20 gift cards in an envelope to the TSA supervisor’s desk to hand out to TSA agents via their lottery system for such donations. The TSA supervisor also got in touch with the FAA, who arranged for someone on break to come over to pick up another envelope of 12 $20 gift cards to distribute to Air Traffic Controllers via their lottery system. This is the time to show our support for these hard working people who keep us safe.
What a great idea. I’m stealing that for my next trip out of TPA.