Why larger airports suffer more during the DHS shutdown
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
TSA staffing shortages from a five-week shutdown are causing severe delays at major airports nationwide.
How This Affects You
You may face extended security lines at major airports, causing travel delays during a period of heavy passenger traffic.
AI Summary
TSA officer absentee rates are surging at major airports during the ongoing partial government shutdown, creating bottlenecks at security checkpoints nationwide. The five-week shutdown has left security personnel without pay, triggering widespread call-outs that disproportionately affect large hubs handling the highest passenger volumes. Longer security lines at major airports risk travel delays and frustration for millions of passengers, while raising safety concerns about stretched screening operations. Congress has shown little movement toward resolving the shutdown, leaving airports and the TSA in a holding pattern with no clear end date. Large airports are hit hardest because their sheer size means staffing shortages have an outsized impact on overall throughput and passenger experience.
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Government TransparencyOver a third of TSA officers called out at 3 major airports Tuesday amid partial shutdown
Travelers continue to face long lines at airports with no end to the partial government shutdown in sight. Atlanta was one of three major U.S. airports on Tuesday where more than one-third of TSA officers called out of work. In Philadelphia, flyers found three of six TSA checkpoints closed on Wednesday. Skyler Henry reports.
Government TransparencyEnhanced role for immigration officers at US airports as shutdown frustrates travels and screeners - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqgFBVV95cUxPN21CRTVyRmVWajhQVTZQUE5Sb2FGZzZCVHg5cUJZZ09TYkNzOHhLYnMxWTB0R2F6NTBScGEyS1ltam4zWjVDcXAwV1g3TzVWVmpMOVBFM08xZGpRTlNzRlZpZFI5VlFiRC1mN3VsMmowaFB1anFFSmtuNlFfSkpERTVubWl1V1plZ0JIRC1KQmFmNnAzQUd5clpVQWxFV3RsUDRfMExJR2ctZw?oc=5" target="_blank">Enhanced role for immigration officers at US airports as shutdown frustrates travels and screeners</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Government TransparencyWhite House officials and senators meet on DHS shutdown, a small sign of progress - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisgFBVV95cUxPS0lBZWhqeEVxTjhOU3ZqaHQteDQ2YlVwTnNXclczbUlCSTNTLXUySUdlV1FmVzNST3ZiWHJnR3NFOHZCVm4tUUQtS29ILV9wVmliQmp2cEpkeFlzaVBLTVY2a1E1bXJqUTlnUGx1TFJGYVJFT1Iyd3NabDl3X2dHOURJa2g2RVYwZ0JsVkJnXzVXdS1JM2hhRldIbU9TMzAzSEZ0UXZWWnV2Tm5jWkdYYzRn?oc=5" target="_blank">White House officials and senators meet on DHS shutdown, a small sign of progress</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Government TransparencyTSA workers pushed to the brink as DHS shutdown forces some to get 2nd jobs
As the partial government continues, Transportation Security Administration workers are worried about the long-term consequences of working with no pay.
Government TransparencyDeal to end DHS shutdown may be within reach, key senators say - USA Today
PoliticsUS Republicans weigh deal to reopen most of DHS but not ICE deportations
<p>The homeland security shutdown has snarled airport lines and halted pay for some, even as lawmakers negotiate a deal</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/mar/24/us-politics-latest-news-donald-trump-ice-airport-midterms-donald-trump-marco-rubio">US politics live – latest updates</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campaign=BN22326&utm_content=signup&utm_term=standfirst&utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email</a></p></li></ul><p>Republican senators are considering a bipartisan deal to restore funding to most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that would initially exclude money for arrests and deportations of undocumented <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/usimmigration">immigrants</a>, according to media reports.</p><p>Und...
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