TSA worker describes struggle to feed his family during Homeland Security shutdown INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Like many Transportation Security Administration agents around the country, Brad Neal has gone more than month without pay. He’s a positive person, all smiles, but he tells me he’s w orried deep down about the government shutdown. He’s relying on the generosity of businesses, a food bank and other people to make ends meet during the partial Homeland Security shutdown. “This is probably the worst it’s ever been because of how expensive everything has gotten, and having three shutdowns back to back to back does not help. This time you had no time to re-coop, it’s hit after hit after hit.” This is the third time in nearly six months that a government shutdown has stopped TSA workers’ pay. Workers at Indianapolis International Airport aren’t immune to the latest nationwide struggle. Neal has resorted to using credit cards to pay for necessities that he needs for his family, including his 8-month-old baby, Adalyn. “It’s been hard on us. I wanted to make sure the baby is taken care of. Food is getting tougher, credit card bills getting a lot higher, and we’re still waiting to get paid.” Neal has relied on Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana for additional support. Its CEO, Fred Glass, said about a third of the TSA workers have reached out for food and essentials. “When people are hurting, when there’s a spike in the unexpected, we step in, stock up, staff up, and provide the people and food necessary to help folks like TSA. It’s really a misunderstanding. These are not highly paid individuals. Some are still feeling the hangover from the last interruption when they had to skip a car payment, take out a loan, or live on the edge,” Glass said. According to the American Federation of Government Employees Local 618, which represents the Indianapolis TSA workers, 350 airport screeners and around 100 administrative and support positions have gone without pay. On average, their annual salary is about $55,000. Neal has been with TSA for more than 10 years, and he makes more than average, but with a new family and a mortgage to pay, there’s pressure to seek other modes of income and be smart with money. “We’re making sure the necessities are taken care of. We’re not trying to go out and do anything. We stay at home most of the time, make sure we have gas. I know some people with us (TSA) have to rely on gift cards and gas cards that people are donating,” Neal said. Workers were expected to get back pay if Congress approves a Homeland Security budget that President Donald Trump signs into law. Meanwhile, union representative Myles Wagner said it is a burden, particularly with new and younger employees who are making ends meet. The union is also seeing its older, experienced officers reaching retirement age looking for a way out. So far, eight TSA workers have quit. Wagner said about 8% have called in sick, and others have requested shortened hours so they can make room for gigs with Uber, DoorDash or other employers. At the airport, some passengers told News 8 they didn’t know TSA workers weren’t being paid. Neal told News 8 he spoke out because he wants people to know TSA workers are struggling to do the best they can to face yet another government shutdown. ...read more read less