Roberta Aguirre
A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass new funding for federal agencies, leading to the cessation of all non-essential operations. While the immediate impact of a government shutdown on airports may be minimal, with planes continuing to fly and airport security checkpoints remaining open, prolonged shutdowns can lead to significant disruptions. This is primarily due to the fact that while Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents and air traffic controllers are deemed essential employees and will be required to work without pay, they may start calling in sick, leading to increased wait times and potential temporary shutdowns of airports. Additionally, passport and visa processing services may be affected, causing further travel disruptions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air Traffic Controllers | Considered essential workers and will continue working without pay. |
| TSA Agents | Deemed essential employees and will be required to work without pay. |
| Customs and Border Protection Officials | Considered essential and will continue working during a shutdown. |
| Passport Processing | Will continue as normal, but may take longer. |
| Visa Applications | Will continue to be reviewed for foreign visitors. |
| Impact on Travel | Likely to be minimal initially, but could lead to disruptions and delays in the long run. |
| Hiring and Training | All hiring and training of additional air traffic controllers will be paused. |
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What You'll Learn
Air traffic controllers and TSA agents are deemed essential and will work without pay
While a government shutdown may not immediately affect travel, it will still have an impact on airports and air travel. Air traffic controllers and TSA agents are deemed essential employees, and while they will continue to work, they will do so without pay. This means that, at least initially, airports will operate as normal, with planes continuing to fly and security checkpoints remaining open.
However, the longer a shutdown continues, the more likely problems will arise. During the 2018–2019 shutdown, air traffic controllers threatened to walk off the job, and a higher rate of absences slowed down travel in some airports. A month into the shutdown, LaGuardia Airport temporarily shut down, and there were delays at Newark, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. This was due to a combination of air traffic controller absences and a shortage of staff, including TSA agents.
TSA agents are some of the lowest-paid workers in the federal workforce, and as the 2018–2019 shutdown continued, TSA workers began calling in sick rather than report for unpaid work, leading to lengthy delays at security. This was also the case in Miami, where one of the airport's terminals was forced to close early on weekends, with some flights having to depart from different terminals.
In the event of a prolonged shutdown, the Transportation Security Administration has warned that there could be longer wait times for travellers at airport security checkpoints. TSA Administrator David Pekoske said that while personnel are prepared to handle high volumes of travellers, an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports.
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Longer wait times at airports due to staff shortages
While a government shutdown may not immediately affect airport operations, with planes continuing to fly and airport security checkpoints remaining open, issues may arise if the shutdown is prolonged.
One of the key concerns is staff shortages, which can lead to longer wait times at airports. During previous shutdowns, such as the one in 2018, TSA agents and air traffic controllers began calling in sick rather than working without pay, resulting in increased absenteeism. This led to lengthy delays at security checkpoints and even temporary airport shutdowns, as seen in the case of LaGuardia Airport. Similar issues were reported at Miami Airport during the same shutdown, where one of the terminals had to be closed early on weekends, causing flights to depart from different terminals.
The impact of staff shortages is further exacerbated by the high volume of travellers, especially during busy travel periods like the holidays. With more people passing through airports, the workload on the available staff increases, potentially leading to longer processing times.
Additionally, the pandemic has also played a role in staff shortages. The aviation industry faced significant layoffs during the pandemic, and the subsequent increase in travel demand has put pressure on airports to recruit, train, and certify new security screening staff.
To mitigate the impact of staff shortages, some airports and authorities have implemented various measures. For instance, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) has been working with third-party security contractors to increase staffing levels. Furthermore, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has offered incentives like bonuses to attract new officers. However, until staffing levels are fully restored, travellers may continue to experience longer wait times at security checkpoints.
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Delayed or cancelled flights
During the 2018-2019 shutdown, air traffic controllers also started calling in sick, leading to a temporary shutdown of LaGuardia Airport, and delays at Newark, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. Air traffic controllers are already in short supply, so a shutdown could exacerbate existing issues and cause further delays.
The head of the TSA, David Pekoske, has warned that an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports, with 59,000 of the agency's 62,000 workers expected to be on the job without pay. The U.S. Travel Association has said that a shutdown could cost the sector $1 billion per week, as disruptions would occur during a peak travel period.
While the impact of a shutdown on flights may not be immediate, the longer it goes on, the more likely it is that travellers will experience delays or cancellations.
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Passport applications and renewals may be affected
While the impact of a government shutdown on airports is likely to be minimal at first, with planes continuing to fly and airport security checkpoints remaining open, passport applications and renewals may be affected.
Passport services may continue as normal unless specific facilities are closed due to funding issues. The State Department has stated that consulates in the U.S. and abroad would remain open during a shutdown, and passport renewals would be available unless the passport agency is located in a government building affected by a "lapse in appropriations."
However, it is worth noting that even before the pandemic, the State Department struggled with lengthy wait times for processing passports due to high demand. A government shutdown could further exacerbate these delays, especially for expedited passport applications. The State Department estimates that even expedited passport application processing will take several weeks, so travelers are advised to allow for a longer lead time before their international trips.
During the 2018-2019 government shutdown, Global Entry appointments at some enrollment centers were canceled with no rescheduled dates, causing disruptions for new applicants. Therefore, it is advisable to anticipate potential delays and plan accordingly when applying for or renewing passports during a government shutdown.
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Customs and Border Protection agents will continue working through a shutdown
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents are considered essential workers and will continue to work through a government shutdown. During a shutdown, the federal government only operates essential services, like the military, public safety, and law enforcement. CBP agents are part of the Department of Homeland Security and are tasked with the management, control, and protection of the nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. This includes airports, cruise ports, and border crossings.
While CBP agents will continue to work, they will do so without receiving pay until the government shutdown ends. This can lead to financial difficulties for these agents, and some may not be able to make ends meet in the meantime. During the longest government shutdown in the country's history, which lasted over five weeks, agents worked without receiving two vital paychecks.
The lack of remuneration for CBP agents during a government shutdown can also lead to increased absenteeism. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, which lasted about five weeks, TSA workers began calling in sick rather than reporting for unpaid work, leading to some lengthy delays at security checkpoints in airports. This problem became particularly acute in Miami, where the airport was forced to close one of its terminals early on weekends, causing some flights to depart from different terminals.
The impact of a government shutdown on CBP agents can also be felt in terms of training and resource allocation. Certain Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) trainings for new public safety personnel and ongoing skills for current personnel would be stopped until the government is funded. FLETC training personnel would be unable to travel to conduct expert training, and scheduled law enforcement training programs for state, local, and tribal agencies would be suspended. This can impact the readiness and effectiveness of CBP agents in carrying out their duties.
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Frequently asked questions
No, planes will continue to fly and airport security checkpoints will remain open, at least in the early days of a shutdown. However, the longer a shutdown goes on, the more likely it is that disruptions will occur.
TSA agents, air traffic controllers, and other essential airport staff are considered federal employees. During a shutdown, they will be required to work without pay. If a shutdown is prolonged, absenteeism among these workers tends to increase, which can lead to longer wait times at security screening checkpoints and flight disruptions.
It is recommended that you arrive at the airport earlier than usual to account for potential delays. If you are planning to travel internationally, be aware that a government shutdown may delay passport processing times.
