Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents check IDs and baggage for thousands of travelers every day at the . For now, local agents are still doing that job, despite the government shutdown.

“I’m disappointed they can't get their act together. It's very frustrating because we feel like we're pawns in this whole thing,” said Robert Mack, a lead TSA officer at the airport.

Mack is also chief steward for , a chapter of the union representing TSA workers. He’s worked at the airport for over 20 years and vividly remembers the last government shutdown. That one started just before Christmas 2018 and lasted 35 days.

“It was kind of rough, to tell you the truth. We went over a month without pay. People were having to make decisions they didn't want to make — whether putting gas in the

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