As a federal shutdown drags on, major travel industry groups are urging the public and policymakers to support Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers who are reporting to work without pay—warning that staffing shortfalls could quickly translate into longer security lines and wider travel disruptions.
- Who’s affected: TSA screening personnel and more than 100,000 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees are nearing their first missed full paycheck, according to Government Executive’s Pay & Benefits reporting.
- Why it matters: Travel groups say missed pay could drive absenteeism and attrition, increasing the risk of checkpoint delays and operational strain at airports.
- What industry is doing: Trade associations are rallying support for unpaid TSA staff and highlighting the potential downstream impacts on passengers and the broader travel economy, Government Executive reported.
- Shutdown mechanics: Under shutdown rules, many TSA employees are designated “excepted” and must continue working even when appropriations lapse—while pay is delayed until funding is restored, per longstanding federal shutdown policy described in the report.
- Broader DHS impact: The shutdown’s reach extends beyond TSA, with large numbers of DHS personnel facing delayed pay, raising concerns about staffing continuity across key security and operational functions, according to Government Executive.
The travel industry’s warning comes as airports head into another high-volume stretch with security staffing already sensitive to last-minute absences. During prior shutdowns, TSA checkpoint wait times became a visible pressure point as some officers called out, and airport operators and airlines urged federal leaders to end the funding lapse. The current shutdown is reviving those concerns, with travel groups arguing that even modest reductions in staffing can compound quickly at peak times.
For federal employees and service members traveling on official orders, the risk is practical: longer lines can affect reporting times, missed connections, and temporary duty (TDY) schedules. Agencies may issue local guidance on recommended arrival times and travel planning, but screening throughput ultimately depends on staffing levels at each airport.
For TSA employees and other DHS personnel working through the lapse, the immediate issue is cash flow. While Congress has previously authorized back pay after shutdowns, Government Executive noted that workers can still face delayed income, missed bill payments, and short-term financial strain during the gap. Employees seeking to estimate the impact of a missed paycheck on take-home pay can reference pay and withholding tools at FedInfo (fedinfo.org).
Source: Government Executive (Pay & Benefits), “Travel industry rallies support for TSA staff working without pay amid concern delays during shutdown” (March 2026). https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2026/03/travel-industry-rallies-support-tsa-staff-working-without-pay-amid-concern-delays-during-shutdown/411956/