TEXARKANA, Ark - While 750,000 "non-essential" federal workers have been furloughed during the government shutdown, millions of “essential” employees are still working without pay including federal airport employees.

Employees considered vital to public safety are continuing to work, including federal workers at the Texarkana Regional Airport.

“It shouldn't affect us as much, but as your moving around the country to bigger airports that have long lines with TSA. Oftentimes what we see is the individuals don't want to work overtime shifts and so that can cause there to be longer lines at some of those destinations,” said Paul Mehrlich, Texarkana Regional Airport executive director.

While many airport employees, including airport screeners, air traffic controllers and TSA agents, are requ

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