Spending Cuts Already Adding Long Lines At The Airport

Spending cuts are already adding long lines at the airport, says Janet Napolitano.

Janet Napolitano urges anyone flying anywhere in the US to arrive as early as possible. Federal spending cuts ordered by President Barack Obama have made security checkpoint lines even longer than before. Furloughs, or leaves of absence, have been sent to several employees in TSA, and hiring freezes have gone into effect. Overtime has also been eliminated.

This means that when you get to the TSA gates, there may be only one gate open, leading to a very long line. Bring a book or something.

According to Reuters, at a “Politico Playbook” breakfast event Janet Napolitano said:

“We are already seeing the effects at some of the ports of entry – at the big airports, for example. Some of them had very long lines this weekend.”

Janet Napolitano said that delays at major airports were up to almost double, despite no major delays reported Monday morning. Lawmakers are accusing Napolitano of fear-mongering and exaggerating the impact of the spending cuts. According to MSN, she answered, saying the problem is very real:

“Look, people, I don’t mean to scare, I mean to inform. If you’re traveling, get to the airport earlier than you otherwise would. And please don’t yell at the Customs officers or the TSA officers – they are not responsible for the sequester.”

Janet Napolitano has not given any details as to who is receiving furloughs, and the Department of Homeland Security has offered no comment on the spending cuts situation.

The spending cuts ordered by President Barack Obama are widespread to all levels of Federal spending, even extending to the elimination of US Postal Service deliveries on Saturdays. The Secret Service, security surrounding the President himself has been cut as well.

In the end, the spending cuts are expected to help the US economy recover after a brutal recession.

How do you feel about the spending cuts already adding longer lines at the airport?

#Cincinnati Spending cuts already cause long lines at airports: Napolitano – Reuters ow.ly/2vfFVY

— Cincyfeeds.com (@cincyfeeds) March 4, 2013