Americans Are Facing Long Flight Delays After the Current DHS Shutdowns
Taking a flight from one destination to another has been a long-desired path of travel for many. It’s typically quick, easy, painless, and more effective than driving for hours in a car. But recently, Americans have been facing incredibly long lines and flight delays after the DHS shutdown strained TSA staffing. According to PBS News, these delays aren’t going away anytime soon, but in fact, may be growing worse.
William Brangham interviewed Allison Pohle of The Wall Street Journal to discuss why TSA workers are calling off sick, taking other jobs, or not showing up for work due to financial hardship. Missing their first full paycheck last week, workers are nearly forced to look for other jobs and streams of revenue. As a result, long lines and flight delays frustrate traveling Americans all across the country.
Pohle reported, “We have seen longer delays in Phoenix today, as well as at JFK. So, compared to a week ago, these delays are much longer. We have also seen an increase in the number of people increase in people traveling for spring break. So there are more travelers. It's also a longer period of time that TSA workers have not been paid, and where they're coming up on yet another month where rent will be due, utility bills will be due, et cetera.” Not only are TSA workers essential to airports, but they’re considered essential workers. To date, 50,000 have been without work and pay since the shutdown on February 14th.
As noted by the Department of Homeland Security, “more than 300 TSA officers have quit. More than half of TSA staff in Houston called out sick and nearly a third called out in Atlanta and New Orleans last week,” DHS said.
While this may not be the case for every airport, Pohle adds that this is only because some TSA workers are under different arrangements with their particular place of employment. In Atlanta, for example, workers have historically had to pay for their own gas and parking, but the airport has now stepped up to cover those expenses during this time. Workers in Kansas City aren’t federal employees; therefore, they’re still getting paid.
Sadly, not every airport receives this kind of support, and the struggle continues. With the recent funding bill in Congress failing, NPR added that the situation could continue to get worse, especially if the shutdown isn’t quickly resolved.
If you’re planning to travel via flight in the next few weeks, NPR recommends researching your local airport and flight times before you go, planning and budgeting for extra time, considering biometric screening through CLEAR, and making a plan B. Thankfully, if your flight is canceled in the U.S., the Department of Transportation does entitle a full refund.
Related Article
What Christians Need to Know About the Impact of the Government Shutdown Involving The DHS
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/ Tim Boyle / Staff
Originally published March 25, 2026.
