CLT Says Thank You!

A Gift Card Drive designed to support Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees at CLT has concluded.

Following the Executive Order signed on March 27, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security has been directed to provide back pay to TSA employees who have been working without pay since the partial government shutdown began on February 14, 2026.

TSA employees could see this payment as early as March 30, 2026. As a result, CLT’s gift card donation initiative has concluded per federal guidelines and additional donations will no longer be accepted, beginning March 30.

CLT is deeply grateful to the passengers, partners and community who came together to support more than 600 local TSA employees with food, fuel and essentials during this time. We also extend our continued appreciation to our TSA colleagues for their unwavering commitment to keeping travelers safe.

Why It Was Started

TSA officers had been working without pay, manning CLT’s three security checkpoints to ensure travelers' safety. This partial shutdown follows a federal government shutdown in late 2025 that lasted 43 days.

During the latest shutdown, many travelers dropped physical gas or grocery gift cards for Charlotte-area retailers at the Airport Information Desk drop box in the terminal, while non-travelers were able to make gift card donations at two off-site locations.

Food & Essentials Helped in 2025

During the fall 2025 shutdown, CLT, along with airline partners, concessionaires and others, organized and led a comprehensive Food & Essentials Drive to help lessen the burden on unpaid federal workers.

The food bank in the terminal served over 600 federal employees, who shopped for household items during two-hour blocks three days a week.