By now, it’s become normal for many airports across the US to have long security check lines, with some even going as long as six hours. Hence, Miami International Airport in Florida hatched an idea: a DJ to keep travelers either busy, distracted, or hopefully happy while some of them endure delays. The move has since drawn outrage online, with many questioning why.
Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, shared the update itself on their official X account. They hired DJ Amal Nemer, who set up a booth in the airport’s lobby. In the particular video, DJ Nemer can be seen playing “Stay in the Light” by the Bee Gees and even handing out light sticks so the travelers and even airline employees can dance. Some of them did.
Online, however, the reaction is more serious and scrutinizing. Some of the most highly-liked comments on the threat even called out Miami International Airport (MIA) for the stunt. “Instead of actually fixing the issues at MIA, they do stupid things like this… Same as how Miami-Dade government is out of touch with the taxpayers. Wasting our money,” ranted one commenter.
Other commenters shared similar sentiments, with a re-share of the post even claiming, “imagine waiting in a 6 hour line at TSA and this [expletive] is going on,” alluding to how the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in certain airports can’t properly do its job due to the partial government shutdown. This shutdown has since led to TSA staffing shortages and lack of pay, extremely long lines and wait times, and even flight delays.
Critics Prefer Reforms, Not Discos
A few days ago, the MIA apparently had lines as long as a city block snaking through the airport. It’s not clear what exactly the MIA is doing to alleviate or improve the security lines, but some airports have temporarily employed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents (ICE) to man TSA posts. So far, ICE hasn’t been deployed at MIA at the time of writing.
Meanwhile, other people online have further criticized MIA, with another commenter even bringing attention to some of the older problems in the airport. “Can you please fix the escalators and moving walkways that have been broken for more than two years in terminal D?, thanks for your attention,” a commenter stated.
Others drew attention to how absurd the situation was, especially for both the TSA agents and the travelers: “TSA agents not getting paid while the airport hires DJs for music week.” In any case, the majority of reactions to MIA’s particular DJ post are negative, and it appears they really prefer something more serious as a solution.
