On the heels of the most recent 44-day government shutdown, the United States experienced one of the busiest Thanksgiving travel seasons to date. The surge placed additional pressure on an already strained air travel system -- particularly on air traffic controllers and TSA officers who worked through staffing shortages without pay.
Train travel also saw a sharp rise in demand. With many travelers looking to avoid flight delays and long airport lines, Amtrak projected a record-breaking Thanksgiving season of its own. As Christmas approaches, the rail operator is bracing for another spike in passenger numbers.
To recognize those who worked through these intense travel periods, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that Amtrak will award holiday bonuses to more than 18,000 unionized employees -- following in the footsteps of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
While some have praised Amtrak and the Department of Transportation (DOT) for the bonus, others argue it's a short-term fix for a larger problem.
More Than 18,000 Amtrak Union Workers Will Receive $900 Holiday Bonuses
As Amtrak celebrates a record-breaking year in ridership and revenue, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Amtrak's leadership have agreed to provide $900 holiday bonuses to more than 18,000 union rail workers.
As part of the deal, Amtrak's executive leadership agreed to give up half of the bonuses they would have received under the previous compensation structure. The company's board also voted to eliminate long-term incentive bonuses for senior executives and redirect those funds to union workers.
"We are truly in the golden age of travel. Whether you're flying, riding the subway, or taking the train, my department is working every day to enhance the travel experience for the American people. We rely on our incredible workforce, including our unionized workers at Amtrak, to make it all possible," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy in a news release.
DOT officials said the move to follow the TSA and FAA's lead by offering bonuses aligns with a broader review of executive compensation and with plans to restructure future bonus systems to better reward employees.
The TSA And FAA Announced $10,000 Awards For "Above And Beyond" Service During The Government Shutdown
Amtrak's decision comes after similar announcements from other federal agencies. In mid-November, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced during a press conference that TSA officers who delivered "above and beyond" service during the shutdown would receive $10,000 awards funded by carryover funds from fiscal year 2025.
The announcement, however, sparked mixed reactions among TSA employees. A former TSA officer, speaking anonymously with TheTravel, shared frustrations echoed by colleagues:
"From what I've heard from my former colleagues, most, if not all, of them think the $10K bonus is BS."
Soon after, the FAA followed suit. Transportation Secretary Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced in a news release that 776 air traffic controllers and technicians would also receive $10,000 awards for maintaining safety during the shutdown. Some controllers welcomed the idea, while others saw it as an insult because it fails to address long-term industry problems like understaffing and burnout.
What Travelers And Amtrak Employees Are Saying About The $900 Holiday Bonus
Reactions to Amtrak's $900 holiday bonuses have been similarly divided. Discussions on Instagram show a mix of appreciation and skepticism from both workers and travelers. Some praised the move and thanked the DOT for recognizing frontline employees.
"Thank you, Sean Duffy! Best Secretary of Transportation that we've ever had! Merry Christmas!" wrote one commenter.
Others, however, questioned whether the bonus meaningfully translates into a better passenger experience.
They wrote:
"They would have more money in their pockets if tariffs weren't an issue."
"Why not create more railroad jobs by expanding America's embarrassingly awful passenger rail network?"
"Didn't you cancel several Amtrak projects?"
As holiday travel ramps up, Amtrak is preparing to carry millions of passengers seeking an alternative to crowded airports. The $900 bonuses recognize the workers on the front lines during the busy season, but critics question whether the one-time payouts will address deeper challenges in the rail travel industry.