The ongoing government shutdown has resulted in Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) going without pay for several weeks, causing significant challenges at airports across the United States. As of Friday morning, the longest wait times for security screenings were reported at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), with delays of up to 2. 5 hours. Other major airports, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), are also experiencing wait times of up to two hours.
This trend is not limited to a few airports, as delays have also been reported at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Denver International Airport (DEN), Miami International Airport (MIA), and Orlando International Airport (MCO), with wait times averaging around 30 minutes. These long wait times have become a daily occurrence, with similar delays reported earlier this week at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). At Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), the situation has become so unpredictable that travelers are being advised to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled departure time to avoid missing their flights.
Amidst the chaos, the U. S. Travel Association has joined forces with other industry partners to urge Congress to take action and ensure that TSOs receive their pay and necessary protections. Geoff Freeman, the president and CEO of the U. S. Travel Association, has expressed frustration at the fact that members of Congress continue to receive their pay and expedited security clearance while TSOs work without pay and travelers face hours-long wait times. According to Freeman, this is a clear indication that Congress is not prioritizing the well-being of the TSOs and the safety and security of the traveling public.
Despite the mounting pressure from the travel industry, there has been little progress in finding a resolution to the shutdown. The current partial shutdown only affects the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which does not include air traffic controllers (ATCs). In the past, it has been the ATCs who have been the main catalyst for ending shutdowns, including the extended one that occurred at the end of 2018 and into 2019.
On Thursday, senators from both parties met in person for the first time since the shutdown began, but there is still no clear resolution in sight. With both the House and Senate scheduled to leave for a two-week recess at the end of next week, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has threatened to cancel the recess if a deal to fund the DHS is not reached by then. The fate of the TSOs and the impact on air travel remains uncertain as the shutdown continues.