MSP Airport running smoothly ahead of MEA rush
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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
MSP Airport has so far been able to operate smoothly despite a federal government shutdown that has caused pain for flyers in other cities.
Why it matters: It's Minnesota Educators Academy week, which means the airport is much busier than normal as families head out on mini-vacations while there's no school Thursday and Friday.
- Several districts also hold conferences this week and some parents take advantage of an additional day or two.
By the numbers: The Metropolitan Airports Commission expects a combined 102,000 people to pass through TSA checkpoints Wednesday and Thursday — the two busiest days of MEA travel.
- That's 19% more than typical for early fall at MSP Airport and on par with last year's volume, according to the commission.
Yes, but: The difference this year is that TSA agents and air traffic controllers have only received partial pay due to the shutdown.
- That has led to delays and flight cancellations at other airports, as some employees have called in sick in protest, but as of Tuesday, MSP has had a normal, minimal amount of delays.
- The MAC continues to recommend travelers arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international travel.
What we're watching: The shutdown has now reached day 15. If it persists, air traffic controllers and TSA agents will miss their next paycheck.
- When controllers stopped getting paid during the 2018 shutdown, some called in sick for work, causing travel snarls that helped end the impasse, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick reports.
- He talked to controllers who said absences could pile up if already-fatigued workers deal with more stress due to the shutdown.
- Air traffic controllers' next paycheck would be Oct. 28, according to Politico.
The intrigue: MSP Airport has joined several others around the country in not allowing a video of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the standoff.
- A MAC spokesperson said the commission is evaluating the video's legality. Other airports have declined to play it out of concern it violates the Hatch Act, which aims to ensure that federal programs are administered in a nonpartisan fashion.