DATE: December 10, 2020
TO: All Personnel: LGA, ISP, HPN, SWF
FROM: Robert A. Duffy, Federal Security Director: LGA, ISP, HPN, SWF
SUBJECT: Weekly Update
I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all of you in recognition of LGA receiving the DHS Secretary’s COVID-19 Response Award yesterday. This award is in recognition to all of you for contributing to our response to the current pandemic.
As we all know, New York was in the epicenter of this pandemic when it first struck the United States at the start of this year. As the pandemic gained momentum and spread across the region, schools and businesses began closing in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus. Most people also stopped traveling which caused a significant decrease in air travel. At LGA we saw passenger volumes on some days drop to below 800 passengers. HPN closed to all commercial flight operations in the spring and again in the late summer/early fall. SWF saw all airlines except Allegiant leave, and Allegiant is still only flying from SWF four days a week. ISP also saw significant decreases in flights and passenger volume.
To compound the problem at LGA, the MTA closed all subway operations from 0100 to 0500 daily in April. That restriction is still in effect today and will remain so for the foreseeable future. That subway closure still has an impact on our first shift getting to work. At the peak, LGA had 514 people out of work due to positive test results, required quarantine from exposure and people with high risk conditions.
In response to this challenge, all of you adapted to the changes in our lives and continued to carry-on with the TSA mission every day. Whenever a commercial flight was scheduled to depart from any of our four airports, you were there to ensure no flights were cancelled due to the TSA not being on duty to secure every departing flight. At the peak of the pandemic, LGA closed Terminals A and D and operated with only three open lanes; two in Terminal B and one in Terminal C. Our COVID-19 Task Force was created and has performed remarkably in addressing the needs of our workforce by ordering PPE, maintaining ample supplies of disinfecting cleaners, delivering those items to the checkpoints multiple times a day and conducting health and welfare checks on those who were sick with COVID-19, in quarantine or out of work on high risk. Our officers not only reported to work daily, but some of you also reported to Liberty Airport in Newark (EWR) when most of their officers were out of work. Those who responded to EWR that week, literally allowed EWR to remain open. We also provided JFK with much needed PPE when their supply ran low and their supply chain was slow to respond to their needs.
While we received recognition for our efforts yesterday, that effort which started last winter still continues today. Your selfless actions in dedication to the TSA mission, your oath to the Nation and your care for the traveling public Is truly inspiring. Many of you have never missed a day of work during this dangerous time. Some of you have persevered through personal losses caused by the pandemic, and continue to carry out your duties every day through sheer heart and fortitude. Your teamwork has been outstanding and that includes airports helping other airports to cover staffing needs. Some of you have even taken your “Can-do” spirit and put it to use off-duty in order to help other people in need of food and other assistance.
While the award stated LGA, make no mistake that this is a team award to everyone at LGA, ISP, HPN and SWF. You all earned this and should be proud of yourselves. Thank you very much for all you have done and continue to do every day. I am very proud of all of you, and it is a privilege for me to lead all of you.
Respectfully,
Bob Duffy
