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Taking a flight from one destination to another has been a long-desired path of travel for many. It’s typically quick, easy, painless, and more effective than driving for hours in a car. But recently, Americans have been facing incredibly long lines and flight delays after the DHS shutdown strained TSA staffing. According to PBS News, these delays aren’t going away anytime soon, but in fact, may be growing worse.
William Brangham interviewed Allison Pohle of The Wall Street Journal to discuss why TSA workers are calling off sick, taking other jobs, or not showing up for work due to financial hardship. Missing their first full paycheck last week, workers are nearly forced to look for other jobs and streams of revenue. As a result, long lines and flight delays frustrate traveling Americans all across the country.
Pohle reported, “We have seen longer delays in Phoenix today, as well as at JFK. So, compared to a week ago, these delays are much longer. We have also seen an increase in the number of people increase in people traveling for spring break. So there are more travelers. It's also a longer period of time that TSA workers have not been paid, and where they're coming up on yet another month where rent will be due, utility bills will be due, et cetera.” Not only are TSA workers essential to airports, but they’re considered essential workers. To date, 50,000 have been without work and pay since the shutdown on February 14th.
As noted by the Department of Homeland Security, “more than 300 TSA officers have quit. More than half of TSA staff in Houston called out sick and nearly a third called out in Atlanta and New Orleans last week,” DHS said.
While this may not be the case for every airport, Pohle adds that this is only because some TSA workers are under different arrangements with their particular place of employment. In Atlanta, for example, workers have historically had to pay for their own gas and parking, but the airport has now stepped up to cover those expenses during this time. Workers in Kansas City aren’t federal employees; therefore, they’re still getting paid.
Sadly, not every airport receives this kind of support, and the struggle continues. With the recent funding bill in Congress failing, NPR added that the situation could continue to get worse, especially if the shutdown isn’t quickly resolved.
If you’re planning to travel via flight in the next few weeks, NPR recommends researching your local airport and flight times before you go, planning and budgeting for extra time, considering biometric screening through CLEAR, and making a plan B. Thankfully, if your flight is canceled in the U.S., the Department of Transportation does entitle a full refund.
Related Article
What Christians Need to Know About the Impact of the Government Shutdown Involving The DHS
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/ Tim Boyle / Staff
Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading your Bible and praying more. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.
Originally published March 25, 2026.
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Facts Only
Actors: Americans, TSA workers, Department of Homeland Security
Events: Government shutdown, flight delays, lines at airports, TSA workers calling off sick, quitting, seeking alternative employment
Timeline: February 14th (DHS shutdown), ongoing
Locations: Across the United States
Executive Summary
Full Take
As a Watchline Operator, it is crucial to recognize the power dynamics at play in this situation. The government shutdown and its effects on TSA workers illustrate the potential consequences of economic insecurity for essential workers. By withholding pay from TSA employees, the government risks jeopardizing national security by creating a labor shortage that impacts travelers across the country. It is essential to question the motivations behind this shutdown and consider how decisions made at the federal level can have far-reaching consequences for individuals and communities.
Patterns detected: ARC-0143 Economic Coercion, ARC-0067 Cause and Effect Manipulation
This narrative uses economic coercion as a means to push for a specific political agenda, potentially exploiting the vulnerability of essential workers like TSA employees. The article also employs cause-and-effect manipulation by focusing on the immediate consequences of the government shutdown (long lines and flight delays) without providing sufficient context or acknowledging alternative perspectives.
Root Cause: The root paradigm driving this narrative is a political power struggle over funding for various government programs, including border security and immigration policy.
Implications: This situation highlights the potential human costs associated with government shutdowns and the need for compassionate decision-making that prioritizes the wellbeing of essential workers and the traveling public.
Bridge Questions: What are the long-term implications of this government shutdown on national security and the economy? How can we ensure that essential workers like TSA employees are fairly compensated during times of political disagreement?
Sentinel — Human
The article appears to be written by a human journalist with a unique writing style.