Funding TSA Won't Fix Long Airport Lines Overnight

Paying Transportation Security Administration officers may take time to resolve staffing shortages and security checkpoint delays.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 2:21pm

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Funding to pay Transportation Security Administration officers may be on its way soon, but despite this, frontline workers and hours-long lines of travelers at US airports may not return to normal right away. Even in a best-case scenario, it may take days, if not weeks, for airport security checkpoints to return to full staffing levels, union leaders said.

Why it matters

The partial government shutdown has led to a staffing crisis at the TSA, with many workers calling out or quitting due to lack of pay. This has resulted in hours-long wait times at security checkpoints across the country, disrupting air travel for millions of passengers.

The details

Roughly 61,000 TSA employees have been working without pay during the shutdown, which began on February 14. The workers will likely miss their second full paycheck as soon as today after not receiving their first full paycheck in mid-March and only getting a partial paycheck at the end of February. Travelers have had to contend with hours-long waits to get through security at multiple airports nationwide recently as financially-strapped TSA workers call out in higher numbers.

  • The shutdown began on February 14, 2026.
  • TSA workers missed their first full paycheck in mid-March 2026.
  • TSA workers only received a partial paycheck at the end of February 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who directed the newly installed Department of Homeland Security chief to swiftly pay TSA agents.

Johnny Jones

The secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees' TSA Council 100.

Ha Nguyen McNeill

A TSA worker who testified at a House hearing about the financial hardships faced by TSA employees during the shutdown.

Aaron Barker

The president of AFGE Local 554, which covers airports in Georgia.

Sheldon Jacobson

A founder professor in engineering at the University of Illinois who analyzes data to improve aviation security.

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What they’re saying

“Folks are going to need money. People are not going to be able to come to work until they get a deposit. They can't pay for child care … You don't have any gas.”

— Johnny Jones, Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees' TSA Council 100

“Some are sleeping in their cars, selling their blood and plasma and taking on second jobs to make ends meet, all while being expected to perform at the highest level when in uniform to protect the traveling public.”

— Ha Nguyen McNeill, TSA Worker

“Until that paycheck hits that account, you can expect the same.”

— Aaron Barker, President of AFGE Local 554

“Everybody agrees that air travel is important. The TSA, air traffic control, they're critical. Then why are we not paying them?”

— Sheldon Jacobson, Founder Professor in Engineering, University of Illinois

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.