BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – There may be more of a hassle if you are flying this holiday season thanks to the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees of the Transportation Security Administration.
The Biden Administration last month ordered federal employees to get their COVID-19 vaccine by November 22. This includes the more than 50,000 security officers who are responsible for the security of nearly 440 airports in the nation.
Only 60% of TSA workers have confirmed they are vaccinated.
A TSA spokesperson declined an interview but said thousands of employees are uploading their vaccination status every week.
"As we've seen across other sectors, we anticipate that the vast majority of TSA employees will get vaccinated," a statement from TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein reads. "My understanding is that the current percentage reflects employees TSA doesn't yet have vaccination information on, and is not an accurate reflection of its vaccination rate."
Farbstein added the employees are not often in front of computers as part of their jobs and many officers do not have equipment to submit the required information.
Still, the uncertainty is concerning to a multiple elected officials. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer last weekend called for a deployment of K-9 dog teams to help with security screenings in areas where there is a reduced workforce because of the mandate. Others, like Republican Congressman Chris Jacobs, said the deadline on Thanksgiving week will create a transportation crisis.
"I'm leading an effort to urge the administration to pause on this and kind of look again at a way to do it that wouldn't be so damaging to the momentum we're starting to get back in the travel sector and create a self-imposed transportation crisis here," Jacobs said. "Waiting until the holiday subside, let's say, or looking at alternatives like a testing option for a period of time."
Jacobs worries the mandates are not working and will only create more issues, such as a potential impact in travel.
AAA of Western New York expects travel levels to reach at or close to 2019 numbers.
"If you look at the numbers from this week, 2 million people went through (TSA checkpoints)," Elizabeth Carey, Director of Public Relations, said. "We're already back on track for 2019 numbers. There's no reason to think the holidays wouldn't be extremely busy this year."
Carey said the vaccine mandate could have a big impact and encourages travelers to get to the airport early, adding travelers should already be aware of employee shortages for concession areas at airports.
NFTA declined to comment on the TSA staffing but said they will continue to monitor the situation "and would reaffirm our advice to holiday travelers to get to the airport early to avoid any issues."
