Overview
- Airport security operations are reported as normal for now, according to TSA and DHS statements.
- Agents are expected to miss their first paycheck in early March, increasing financial strain on a largely paycheck-to-paycheck workforce.
- More than 1,000 TSA officers left in October and November after the last shutdown, a rise of over 25% from a year earlier, reducing staffing resilience.
- Travel experts warn a prolonged lapse could lead to longer lines, temporary checkpoint closures, and potential flight delays if screening bottlenecks grow.
- Air traffic controllers remain paid through the Department of Transportation, creating uneven impacts across aviation operations.