{"id":20841,"date":"2026-02-16T11:02:38","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T16:02:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/airport-security-workers-continue-jobs-without-paychecks-during-government-shutdown\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T11:02:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T16:02:38","slug":"airport-security-workers-continue-jobs-without-paychecks-during-government-shutdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/airport-security-workers-continue-jobs-without-paychecks-during-government-shutdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Airport Security Workers Continue Jobs Without Paychecks During Government Shutdown"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Airport security screeners across the nation are showing up to work without receiving paychecks after a Department of Homeland Security shutdown began early Saturday morning. The situation has travelers concerned about potential delays, particularly those who experienced the chaos from last year’s 43-day government closure that resulted in massive flight cancellations and extensive airport delays.<\/p>

Security checkpoint personnel from the Transportation Security Administration must continue their duties unpaid as Congress fails to reach consensus on the department’s yearly budget. These same workers also remained on the job during the previous record-breaking shutdown that concluded on November 12, though aviation industry specialists believe this situation could unfold quite differently.<\/p>

Organizations representing the nation’s travel sector and major airline companies have issued warnings that extended delays in DHS funding could result in increasingly lengthy security checkpoint waits at commercial airports throughout the country.<\/p>

Key Differences in This Shutdown<\/strong><\/p>

The Homeland Security Department lost its funding when the clock struck midnight, though the remainder of federal operations have financing secured until September 30. This arrangement ensures that Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers will continue receiving their regular salaries, which should minimize the likelihood of extensive flight cancellations.<\/p>

The department’s emergency operations plan designates approximately 95% of TSA personnel as critical workers who must remain at their posts. Congressional Democrats have stated that DHS will not receive new funding unless additional limitations are imposed on federal immigration enforcement activities.<\/p>

Historical patterns show that air travel disruptions from government shutdowns typically escalate gradually rather than immediately. During last year’s extended closure, TSA was forced to temporarily shut down two security checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport after about four weeks. On that same day, federal officials took the unusual step of directing all commercial carriers to cut back their domestic flight operations.<\/p>

John Clark, who was returning to Detroit Metropolitan Airport from a Mississippi business trip, experienced problems during the earlier shutdown and expressed concern about the current situation.<\/p>

“You might not be able to get home if you’re already out, or it might delay if you worked all week and you’re trying to get home,” said Clark, whose work involves traveling frequently to balance machines. “It’s really bad.”<\/p>

John Rose, who serves as chief risk officer for international travel management firm Altour, believes airport problems could emerge more rapidly this time since TSA employees still remember the previous shutdown’s impact.<\/p>

“It’s still fresh in their minds and potentially their pocketbooks,” Rose said.<\/p>

Effects on Air Travelers<\/strong><\/p>

Predicting exactly where, when, or whether security screening problems will arise remains challenging. Even a small number of unexpected TSA employee absences could rapidly create extended wait times at smaller airports, particularly those operating just one security checkpoint.<\/p>

Travel experts recommend passengers plan to reach airports earlier than usual and budget additional time for security processing.<\/p>

“I tell people to do this even in good times,” Rose said.<\/p>

Industry professionals warn that flight delays remain possible despite air traffic controllers being unaffected by the DHS shutdown.<\/p>

Airlines may choose to postpone departures in certain situations to accommodate passengers still clearing security checkpoints, explained Rich Davis, who works as a senior security consultant for risk management firm International SOS. Insufficient TSA staffing could also create delays in processing checked baggage behind the scenes.<\/p>

Burnest R. Green, who traveled from Phoenix to Detroit for his sister’s 70th birthday celebration, hopes the shutdown resolves before his return flight in more than a week.<\/p>

“I just hope that things start to get better before they get any worse,” he said.<\/p>

Preparation Tips for Travelers<\/strong><\/p>

While most airports post current security line waiting times on their websites, Rose suggests checking well before travel day rather than waiting until departure time.<\/p>

“You may look online and it says two-and-a-half hours,” he said. “Now it’s two-and-a-half hours before your flight and you haven’t left for the airport yet.”<\/p>

Passengers should exercise extra care when packing since forbidden items will likely extend the screening process. Carry-on luggage should not contain full-sized shampoo or other liquids, large gel containers, aerosols, or items such as pocket knives.<\/p>

The TSA maintains a comprehensive list on its website detailing permitted and prohibited items for both carry-on and checked baggage.<\/p>

Rose emphasized the importance of maintaining composure at airports, advising travelers to “practice patience and empathy.”<\/p>

“Not only are they not getting paid,” he said regarding TSA agents, “they’re probably working with reduced staff and dealing with angry travelers.”<\/p>

Shutdown Duration Remains Uncertain<\/strong><\/p>

White House officials have been in discussions with Democratic legislators, but negotiations failed to produce an agreement by week’s end before senators and House members prepared to begin a 10-day recess.<\/p>

However, lawmakers from both chambers have been instructed to return to Washington if a shutdown resolution is reached.<\/p>

Democratic representatives have maintained they will not support additional DHS funding without new constraints on federal immigration enforcement following the tragic deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis last month.<\/p>

A combined statement from U.S. Travel, Airlines for America, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association cautioned that the shutdown poses risks to air travel as the busy spring break season approaches.<\/p>

“Travelers and the U.S. economy cannot afford to have essential TSA personnel working without pay, which increases the risk of unscheduled absences and call outs, and ultimately can lead to higher wait times and missed or delayed flights,” the statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n

Source: https:\/\/srnnews.com\/tsa-agents-are-working-without-pay-at-us-airports-due-to-another-shutdown-2\/<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Transportation Security Administration employees at airports nationwide are reporting to work without pay following a Department of Homeland Security shutdown that began Saturday. While air traffic controllers remain funded, travelers may face longer security lines as the shutdown continues, reminiscent of last year’s 43-day closure that caused widespread flight disruptions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":20840,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[831],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20841","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-us-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771257758158.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-5q9","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":35937,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/tsa-workers-continue-airport-security-duties-despite-missing-paychecks\/","url_meta":{"origin":20841,"position":0},"title":"TSA Workers Continue Airport Security Duties Despite Missing Paychecks","author":"Admin","date":"March 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Airport security personnel nationwide have been working without compensation since February 14th as the federal government shutdown continues. A recent investigation examined how the unpaid situation is affecting security checkpoint operations at multiple airports.","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773392874228.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":36299,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/airport-security-workers-go-without-pay-while-passenger-fees-continue\/","url_meta":{"origin":20841,"position":1},"title":"Airport Security Workers Go Without Pay While Passenger Fees Continue","author":"Admin","date":"March 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Transportation Security Administration employees received empty paychecks Friday as the partial government shutdown continues into its fourth week. Meanwhile, security fees collected from airline passengers keep accumulating despite TSA officers working without compensation.","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":41013,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/airport-security-lines-monitored-as-tsa-workers-go-unpaid-during-shutdown\/","url_meta":{"origin":20841,"position":2},"title":"Airport Security Lines Monitored as TSA Workers Go Unpaid During Shutdown","author":"Admin","date":"March 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"TSA agents at airports nationwide are continuing their duties without receiving paychecks during the partial government shutdown. A survey of security checkpoint wait times was conducted across multiple major airports to assess any potential impacts.","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774256834112.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":38330,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/airport-closures-possible-as-tsa-workers-call-out-during-shutdown\/","url_meta":{"origin":20841,"position":3},"title":"Airport Closures Possible as TSA Workers Call Out During Shutdown","author":"Admin","date":"March 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Federal officials warn that smaller airports across the nation could face closures if the government funding impasse continues. Transportation Security Administration workers have been working without paychecks for a month, leading to widespread absences that threaten airport operations.","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773760968535.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":44959,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/tsa-workers-get-first-paychecks-after-40-day-government-shutdown\/","url_meta":{"origin":20841,"position":4},"title":"TSA Workers Get First Paychecks After 40+ Day Government Shutdown","author":"Admin","date":"March 31, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Transportation Security Administration employees have begun receiving their delayed wages for the first time since the Department of Homeland Security shutdown started over six weeks ago. 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Officials warn that more officers may call out sick or quit entirely as financial pressures mount from the second shutdown in just four months.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772212671240.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20841","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20841"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20841\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20841"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20841"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20841"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}