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Shutdown brings ‘uncharted territory’ in planning Super Bowl

Security lines at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta stretch more than an hour long amid the partial federal shutdown, causing some travelers to miss flights, Monday morning, Jan. 14, 2019. No-shows among screeners across the nation soared Sunday and again Monday, as TSA officers have been working without pay since the federal shutdown began Dec. 22. (John Spink/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
In this Friday, Sep. 21, 2018, photo, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is seen in this aerial photo in Atlanta. The stadium will be the site of Super Bowl LIII on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019. Atlanta leaders, police and federal officials plan to discuss public safety plans ahead of Super Bowl 53. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Security lines at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta stretch more than an hour long amid the partial federal shutdown, causing some travelers to miss flights, Monday morning, Jan. 14, 2019. The long lines signaled staffing shortages at security checkpoints, as TSA officers have been working without pay since the federal shutdown began Dec. 22. (John Spink/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
FILE - In this Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, file photo, workers hang banners on Mercedes-Benz Stadium in preparation for the NFL Super Bowl football game, in Atlanta. Atlanta leaders, police and federal officials plan to discuss public safety plans ahead of Super Bowl 53. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
In this Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, photo, the Atlanta Falcons play the Baltimore Ravens in the Mercedes-Benz stadium during the second half of an NFL football game, in Atlanta. Atlanta leaders, police and federal officials plan to discuss public safety plans ahead of Super Bowl 53. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
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By Jeff Martin The Associated Press
January 15, 2019 - 12:24 pm
 

ATLANTA — A day after air travelers waited nearly 90 minutes in security lines at the world’s busiest airport, Atlanta’s mayor is concerned about the lines that could result when the city hosts the 2019 Super Bowl.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said Tuesday the partial government shutdown is “uncharted territory” amid planning for one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

She said “Mass Exodus Monday” will bring a crush of passengers through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Feb. 4, as visitors leave the day after the Super Bowl.

Bottoms says a significantly higher than average number of air travelers are expected to depart Atlanta’s airport that day.

The Transportation Security Administration reports that its workers have been calling in sick at a rate that’s been twice what it normally is.

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