TSA to Remove Chairs from Airport ID Checkpoints, Drawing Union Criticism

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is removing chairs from its airport security checkpoints, requiring officers to stand while checking passenger identification documents, the agency and a major union confirmed Tuesday.

Agency Cites Security, Union Warns of Safety Risks

The TSA defended the decision as a measure to improve both security and service. "This welcome change reinforces both our security posture and our commitment to hospitality by having these officers on their feet and alert," the agency stated. It also noted that all officers must meet fitness requirements to perform their national security duties.

However, the move drew immediate criticism from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) TSA Council 100, which represents the workers. The union called the policy a "disregard for workers’ rights and safety," arguing the chairs "serve as basic ergonomic and safety support for officers that stand and walk on hard surfaces all day."

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Policy Change Amid Agency Pressure

This operational change comes during a period of significant pressure on the agency. In April, the Trump administration proposed cutting the TSA's annual budget by $1.5 billion, or about 20%, and reducing its 60,000-person workforce by more than 9,400 employees.

The administration has also proposed requiring smaller airports to use private security screeners, a move that could cut an additional 4,500 jobs from the TSA payroll. This follows a lengthy government shutdown this spring that left 50,000 TSA workers without pay for six weeks, causing significant travel disruptions and wait times of four hours or more at some airports.