TSA Warns of Longer Wait Times Amid Potential Government Shutdown

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) warned that an extended partial U.S. government shutdown could lead to increased wait times at airports.

TSA, responsible for airport security screening, indicated that approximately 59,000 of its 62,000 employees are essential and would continue to work without pay in the event of a government shutdown starting on Saturday unless a funding deal is reached.

Air traffic controllers and TSA officers are among government workers who would be required to continue working but would not receive pay.

"While our personnel are prepared to handle high volumes of travelers and ensure safe travel, please be aware that an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports," TSA Administrator David Pekoske mentioned on social media.

The agency anticipates screening a record 40 million passengers during the holiday season, building on record numbers from the Thanksgiving holiday.

If no agreement is reached, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates it would need to furlough over 17,000 employees and pause training for air traffic controllers.

During the 2019 government shutdown, which lasted 35 days, there was a noticeable increase in absences among controllers and TSA officers due to missed paychecks. This led to longer checkpoint wait times at various airports, forcing the FAA to reduce air traffic, which increased pressure on lawmakers to resolve the impasse.