Travel industry groups are urging travelers and airports to support Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers who are reporting to work without pay during the ongoing government shutdown, warning that staffing strain could translate into longer security lines and flight disruptions.
- Who’s affected: TSA screeners and more than 100,000 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees are at risk of missing their first full paychecks during the shutdown, according to Government Executive.
- Why TSA is working: TSA personnel are generally considered excepted employees and must continue working even when appropriations lapse, meaning they can be required to report without receiving pay until funding is restored, GovExec reported.
- What the travel industry is doing: Industry groups are rallying public support for TSA workers and highlighting the risk of airport security delays if absenteeism rises or staffing levels thin further, according to GovExec.
- Operational risk: Travel groups warned that screening operations are particularly vulnerable because TSA checkpoints rely on consistent staffing; even modest gaps can slow throughput and increase wait times, GovExec reported.
- Pay timing: The shutdown’s continuation increases the likelihood that affected DHS personnel will miss scheduled pay—a pressure point that has historically contributed to higher sick leave usage and staffing challenges at airports, according to GovExec’s reporting.
The warnings come as the shutdown continues with no immediate resolution announced. TSA officers are among the most visible federal employees impacted because their work directly affects passenger movement through airports. GovExec reported that the travel industry’s messaging is aimed at preventing a staffing spiral—where missed paychecks lead to increased call-outs, which then intensify delays and further strain the remaining workforce.
For DHS employees beyond TSA, the shutdown’s paycheck impacts vary by duty status. Many employees are furloughed, while others are required to work to protect life and property or perform other excepted functions—often without immediate pay. GovExec reported that the number of DHS employees facing missed paychecks exceeds 100,000, underscoring the scale of the disruption.
What it means for you
- If you’re TSA or DHS (excepted): You may be required to report to work without receiving pay on time; back pay typically depends on subsequent legislation and the timing of a funding deal.
- If you’re traveling soon: Build extra time into airport arrival plans; if staffing tightens, security wait times could increase.
- If you need shutdown pay basics: FedBrief has a primer on shutdown rules and common misconceptions: https://fedbrief.org/ (general resource).
Source: Government Executive, “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/