Image Source: Evan Garcia/Reuters
WASHINGTON — The U.S. air travel system faces widespread disruption as unpaid TSA workers strain operations during a partial government shutdown, leading to long lines, staffing shortages, and airport delays nationwide, March 24, 2026.
The crisis stems from stalled funding for the DHS, forcing frontline security personnel to work without pay and triggering resignations, absenteeism, and growing concerns about aviation safety.
More than 450 TSA workers have left the agency since Feb. 14, while call-out rates have climbed from about 2% to roughly 10%, with some airports reporting absenteeism near 30%.
Major airports in New York, Atlanta, and Houston have reported long waits, missed flights, and uneven screening times that shift by the hour depending on staffing, passenger volume, and breaks.
To address shortages,federal agents, including personnel from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have been sent to help at airports, a solution that has raised fresh questions about readiness and security, considering ICE’s previous operations around the country.
Frontline workers report mounting financial and emotional stress as they continue to work without pay for the second time in recent years. Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said employees are struggling to meet basic obligations.
“Across the country, TSA officers are once again being asked to report to work without a paycheck,” Kelley said. “They have families, mortgages, and bills like everyone else.”
Aviation analysts warn the situation is eroding confidence in the reliability of the U.S. air travel system. William McGee of the American Economic Liberties Project said the disruptions reflect deeper systemic issues in a system long promoted as the world’s gold standard.
“For years we’ve bragged about how the U.S. has the best and safest aviation system in the world,” McGee said. “I’m not sure that’s something we get to say anymore.”
He added that travelers should plan for extended wait times. “The bottom line is that, if you have to travel right now, you need to be getting to the airport very early,” McGee said. “It’s all a hot mess right now.”
The funding impasse is tied to broader political disputes over immigration enforcement and the DHS budget. Democrats say they have proposed full funding for TSA operations, while the White House accuses them of leveraging the shutdown for political gain.