TSA Warns of Shutdown Delays
The TSA is warning travelers of potential delays as a government shutdown looms, urging passengers to plan ahead and expect longer wait times at airport security checkpoints. The advisory comes as travel volumes remain elevated.
- Around 95% of the TSA's workforce, which totals about 61,000 employees, are considered essential and are required to work without pay during a shutdown. While they are guaranteed back pay once government funding is restored, the immediate financial strain can be significant. - During the 35-day shutdown in 2018-2019, hundreds of TSA screeners called in sick, which led to significant flight delays and longer security lines at airports across the country. A similar situation occurred during a 43-day shutdown where some employees reported sleeping in their cars to save money and selling plasma to make ends meet. - The current shutdown threat specifically involves the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), of which the TSA is a part. The funding deadline is this Friday at midnight, and negotiations have been deadlocked over immigration enforcement policies. - Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill has stated that a shutdown would pose "significant challenges" to maintaining the expected level of security and service. She also noted that a shutdown would impact the deployment of new security technology and preparations for high-volume travel periods like spring break and the summer. - The potential for delays comes as air travel remains at historically high levels. In 2025, the TSA screened a record 906.7 million passengers, and eight of the top ten busiest travel days on record occurred that year. The FAA handles an average of over 44,000 flights per day. - In response to past shutdowns, legislation has been introduced, such as the "Keep Air Travel Safe Act," to ensure TSA employees are paid during funding lapses, but no such law is currently in effect. - The financial impact on TSA employees can be severe, with many living paycheck to paycheck. During a previous 43-day shutdown, employees faced late fees on bills, eviction notices, and loss of childcare arrangements. - A prolonged shutdown could also hamper the hiring and training of new air traffic controllers, exacerbating an existing shortage of more than 2,800 controllers nationwide.
