Tweed New Haven Airport operating as normal despite discussion of potential “small” airport shutdowns
As airport woes continue nationwide, recent comments from some of the top transportation officials in the country created concern about “small” airports, including Tweed New Haven Airport.
But Tweed officials said there is no concern on their part at this point.
Leadership at Tweed indicates they have no concerns about shutting down, and reiterates that wait times at the airport are normal, thanks to the continued work of TSA agents in Connecticut.
Travelers landing in New Haven were surprised by their traveling journey.
“It was incredibly smooth, shockingly smooth,” said Amy Stern, who had just landed in New Haven from Charleston, South Carolina.
She gave credit where credit was due; she noted all airports she went through were smooth, except LaGuardia on her trip down to South Carolina.
Other travelers reported the same.
“It only took about ten minutes; the line was moving and it went real fast,” said Mona Osso of her travel through the airport in Fort Myers.
She saw the issues being reported nationwide, so she carved out an extra hour for her trip to the airport, only to find no wait, and found the same once landing in New Haven.
“I went there an hour early, which is three hours ahead, for nothing,” said Osso.
But this isn’t the case at all airports; some wait times are climbing to hours for travelers looking to get through TSA. It stems from the lack of paychecks for TSA agents since mid-February, as agents phone in sick or leave the agency.
Experts note the situation varies widely.
“Situations vary not just state to state, but airport to airport,” said Tracy Noble with AAA.
Concerns around small airports grew this week following comments made by the US Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy.
“You are going to see small airports, I believe, shut down, you are going to see extensive lines, and air travel is going to almost come to a grid-hold, stop,” he said on CNBC.
In Connecticut, Tweed New Haven Airport is classified as a “small hub,” but airport officials were quick to note that things are running smoothly so far and there is no reason to panic.
“We are not concerned about shutting down and again that is because of the TSA team that show up and make this operation possible,” said Thomas Caveliere, with the airport.
Cavaliere went on to offer strong praise for the TSA agents in Connecticut, who were still coming to work despite the lapse in pay. He added, ” It’s their commitment that allows the airport to keep operating as normal, and for travelers to get to their destination.
“That is explicitly because of the culture, dedication, and professionalism of the TSA team here at HVN, but also Connecticut TSA, so across the state,” he said.
The airport has made some adjustments to lighten TSA’s load. That includes increasing airport staff in places like baggage checks, allowing TSA agents to focus on security screening.
They are also collecting grocery store and gas gift cards at the airport specifically for TSA agents, and they have partnered with CT Foodshare to collect donations for agents as well.
“We are incredibly grateful to them, and without them this certainly wouldn’t be possible,” he said.
On travel at large, Cavaliere noted your trip out of Connecticut might be smooth, but cautioned travelers from expecting that across the country.
“Just plan accordingly, your return trip might not look like your departure out of here,” he said.
Experts add that the technology is there to help you plan accordingly.
“It is so important that each person has their information, their most current plan, and takes it on an individual basis,” Noble with AAA said.
For her, that means having individual airport apps that might be offered, and the TSA app as well, so you can get a picture of what wait times look like at the airport you are using.
And while the lapse in funding lingers, those navigating airport halls nationwide describe this as a classic case of plan for the worst but hope for the best.
“Be kind and realize it probably won’t go as planned, adjust your expectations is what I would say,” said Stern.
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