MGM Resorts Supports Las Vegas TSA Agents During Government Shutdown
As a government shutdown continues to disrupt air travel and lengthen security lines, Las Vegas’s tourism industry is stepping up to support unpaid Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents. MGM Resorts International, the largest casino company on the Las Vegas Strip, has been delivering meals and care packages to TSA employees at Harry Reid International Airport who have been working without pay for over a month.
MGM Resorts’ Support Efforts
MGM Senior Vice President of Global Security and Aviation, John Flynn, stated that the company has so far provided 1,400 lunches to TSA agents at Harry Reid International Airport, with plans to deliver more in the coming week. There are over 1,000 TSA employees at LAS. Las Vegas Nevada TSA is a branch of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a federal agency responsible for monitoring travel and screening passengers.
In addition to meals, MGM employees volunteered to assemble care packages containing essential items like mouthwash, body wipes and toothpaste for TSA agents.
Impact on Security Wait Times
Flynn emphasized the importance of supporting TSA agents to ensure they continue to report for operate, maintaining the flow of travel to Las Vegas. He noted that concerns about long security lines could deter travelers, impacting hotel occupancy and casino revenue. “We’re a city built on hospitality. we depend on travel and tourism,” Flynn said. “To be able to keep the lines low and to be able to keep that tourism engine thriving, it all happens here at the airport. Without [TSA agents] we wouldn’t have a seamless experience for our guests.”
Recent travelers have reported positive experiences at Harry Reid International Airport. One traveler reported virtually no lines in the general or TSA PreCheck queues on Monday evening and cleared PreCheck in under two minutes. Harry Reid International Airport Security Wait Times currently show typical wait times of less than one minute.
Community Support and Airport Resources
Luke Nimmo, a spokesperson for Harry Reid International Airport, confirmed that donations from MGM and other community members are making a difference, and wait times have remained normal since the shutdown began. The airport has also established a “food and essentials” pantry stocked with non-perishable items, toiletries, and baby products for TSA and customs agents affected by the shutdown. However, Nimmo indicated that the pantry’s inventory is currently low and is requesting additional donations from the community.
Government Shutdown and TSA Pay
TSA agents received their first $0 paycheck over the weekend and will not be paid until Congress reaches an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security. The funding lapse occurred on February 14 due to a political dispute over the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The Transportation Security Administration offers a wide range of career opportunities and is committed to providing employment for veterans.
Other Airport Initiatives
Airports across the US are seeking support for TSA agents working without pay. Denver International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport have set up donation boxes for gift cards and essential household items. Smaller airports, such as John Glenn Columbus International Airport in Ohio and Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids, have also requested donations through social media.
Similar support efforts occurred during the previous government shutdown in October and November of last year, when airline pilots, flight attendants, and their unions provided meals and supplies to air traffic controllers.