Operations were running smoothly at Harry Reid International Airport Monday without the assistance of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents that were deployed to some of the nation’s airports.
Reid and Transportation Security Administration representatives confirmed Monday that there were no ICE agents sent to the Las Vegas airport. Passengers interviewed at the airport said they didn’t experience any problems from their departure airports.
TSA lines were less than 10 minutes long at Reid and in most cases departing passengers could walk up for a security check immediately.
President Donald Trump announced last week that ICE agents would be sent to busy airports to assist TSA agents, who haven’t been paid since a partial government shutdown began Feb. 14.
A list of 13 airports were ICE agents will be deployed doesn’t include Reid. The closest airport to Las Vegas with ICE agents is Sky Harbor International in Phoenix.
While some airports across the country have been hard hit by TSA agents not reporting for work, Reid International has been relatively free of delay and cancellation problems resulting from TSA call-ins.
On Monday, fewer than 10 percent of flights to and from Las Vegas were delayed or canceled, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.
The website tracks flights worldwide and determined that delays Monday were worst at three Washington D.C.-area airports, at three New York-area airports and at Boston’s Logan International Airport.
FlightAware doesn’t list reasons for delays, which could result from bad weather, air traffic control issues or TSA staffing levels.
Most of the passengers arriving at Reid Monday morning said their journeys were smooth and they experienced no lengthy security lines from their departing airports.
Some experts have theorized that community support of local TSA agents has kept call-ins here at a minimum.
Reid has established a food pantry for federal workers and community groups have donated nonperishable food and supplies to stock the pantry and benefit workers. In a larger federal government shutdown in October and November that lasted 43 days, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority donated gasoline gift cards to TSA workers as a show of support to them.
A group plans a big donation to the airport Tuesday. Representatives of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals plan to deliver suitcases filled with vegan groceries and household essentials to airports across the country Tuesday.
“We know TSA agents have a lot to navigate right now, and eating vegan can help them stay nourished and healthy as they keep travelers safe,” PETA President Tracy Reiman said in Monday release. “PETA thanks the agents at Harry Reid International Airport for their dedication and hopes this donation helps them through these turbulent times — and shows how vegan staples benefit animals and budgets alike.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates
Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.
