Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has given this warning an impending government shutdown Passengers may have to wait for a long time at airport security checkpoints. The warning comes after the TSA announced it was expecting Record 40 million airline passengers The two-week holiday travel period that began Thursday is set to skyrocket.
Most TSA employees, about 95%, are considered essential, and so would remain on the job in the event of a shutdown — but without pay — TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a Post On X.
Air traffic controllers are also considered essential workers and are expected to work without paying a pay check. Employees will be paid after the shutdown ends.
The US Travel Association, a trade group representing the industry, said Friday that a government shutdown could cost the sector $1 billion per week because of disruptions during peak travel periods.
“A prolonged government shutdown threatens to cause a disruption to holiday travel that Americans will not tolerate,” the group's CEO Geoff Freeman said in a statement. “It's hard to see how anyone wins in Congress if they force TSA workers, air traffic controllers and other essential workers to work without pay during the busiest travel period of the year.”
A survey by the group also found that 60% of Americans said they would consider changing their travel plans if a government shutdown occurred, including canceling flights and trips altogether, which would result in a shutdown of travel-related businesses. will suffer significant economic losses.
Here's how the government shutdown will affect air travel for consumers.
Will the government shutdown affect flights?
Not for now. Passengers will still be able to travel on booked flights, with operations expected to continue as normal at least in the initial days of the shutdown. That's because TSA agents, air traffic controllers and other essential airport workers will remain on the job.
Will TSA screening lines be longer?
While travelers are always encouraged to arrive at the airport earlier than normal during peak travel periods, this advice may apply even more so in the event of a shutdown.
“While our crews are prepared to handle the large number of travelers and ensure safe travel, please keep in mind that an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports,” TSA's Pekoske warned.
He said, “My advice? Get to your airport early, leave plenty of time to park your car, check your bags, and make your way through security.”
The last government shutdown, in 2018-2019, lasted 35 days. While TSA officers were also deemed essential then, as the shutdown progressed and the financial crisis developed, the number of officers calling in sick increased.
“You saw an increase in the number of sick calls after TSA officers went without pay,” said Chris Van Cleve, senior transportation and national correspondent for CBS News. “There may not be an immediate impact on all airports, especially if it's closed for a short period of time. If it drags on, you have a workforce that is among the lowest paid government employees,” he said.
If, in the event of a prolonged government shutdown, TSA employees stop coming to work in large numbers, wait times at security checkpoints are likely to increase.
What about air traffic controllers?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is already struggling with a shortage of air traffic controllers, who are responsible for securing the national airspace by guiding takeoffs and landings and making sure planes don't fly too close to each other. . Nearly a month into the last shutdown, LaGuardia Airport temporarily delayed flights Due to shortage of staff including air traffic controllers.
In the event of a shutdown, more than 14,000 air traffic controllers in the US would be expected to report to work without pay.
What will a government shutdown mean for passport processing?
According to the State Department contingency planConsular operations will continue as normal “as long as there are sufficient fees to support the operations,” noting that they are integral to national security. This includes passport and visa services.
Nevertheless, some passport services may be limited if they are located in buildings operated by another agency that is defunct.