TSA Commuting Fairness Act: Agency to Study Paying Officers for 'Last Mile' Airport Travel Within 270 Days

The "TSA Commuting Fairness Act" sets a task for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA): to conduct a feasibility study within 270 days of the Act's enactment. The core question? Whether the time TSA employees spend traveling between their official duty locations and airport parking lots or public transit stops should be counted—and paid—as on-duty work hours. This isn't about their commute from home, but the often lengthy trek across airport grounds to get to their actual posts.

From Parking Lot to Post: What's Being Scrutinized?

This bill doesn't immediately change paychecks, but it kicks off a detailed investigation. The study, mandated by Section 2, requires the TSA Administrator to look into several key areas. First, they'll need to measure how long this airport-grounds travel actually takes at small, medium, and large hub airports. Think about it: at some major airports, getting from the employee parking lot to a security checkpoint can involve a shuttle ride and a considerable walk. The study will also examine the average regular commuting time for these employees, excluding this on-airport travel, to provide context.

Beyond just timing, the TSA will explore the potential benefits of classifying this travel as work time. This includes benefits for the employees themselves – potentially fairer compensation and improved morale – and any advantages for the TSA as an agency, such as impacts on recruitment or retention. They'll also consider the practicalities, like whether technology such as mobile phones or location data could be used for employees to accurately report their arrival at parking or transit stops and their departure to their duty stations.

Counting the Costs and Considering the Angles

Of course, a major part of the feasibility study will be the bottom line. The TSA must estimate the costs associated with treating this time as on-duty hours. This isn't just about hourly pay; it includes the ripple effects on retirement benefits and overall basic pay calculations. The bill also gives the Administrator leeway to consider "any other factors the Administrator deems relevant," ensuring a comprehensive look.

Once completed, this detailed report, outlining travel times, benefits, technological solutions, and costs, will be submitted to specific committees in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Essentially, this Act is about gathering the necessary data and insights for lawmakers to make an informed decision down the line about whether TSA officers' official work time should begin the moment they arrive on airport property for their shift, rather than when they reach their specific assignment.