TSA ends checkpoint chair use, union calls it an attack on staff

The Transportation Security Administration has ended the use of chairs for officers working at airport checkpoint travel document checker stands, a change affecting staff nationwide. The agency confirmed the decision on September 29, 2026.

A union representing TSA employees, the American Federation of Government Employees TSA Council 100, described the move as an attempt to "take out" its workforce and said it was moving to challenge the matter.

The agency framed the change differently. A TSA spokesperson called it a welcome change that reinforces the agency's security posture and its commitment to hospitality by keeping officers on their feet and alert, adding that all officers must meet fitness for duty requirements to perform their security function while creating a welcoming environment for travellers.

The union said the chairs provide basic ergonomics and safety support for officers who stand and walk on hard surfaces throughout their shifts. A union spokesperson said TSA was treating the matter as a privilege when it is a matter of basic safety and common decency for the workforce.

According to the union, TSA did not consult it before announcing the change, which the union said reflects a broader pattern in how the agency regards the employees who keep the country safe.

The dispute follows a budget proposal in April 2026 in which the administration sought to remove more than 9,400 TSA positions and cut just over $1.5 billion from the agency's annual budget.