TSA Workers Face Unpaid Duty During Partial Government Shutdown

Hundreds of TSA employees at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport affected as shutdown enters fourth day

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Around 60,000 TSA workers nationwide, including hundreds at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, are expected to work without pay during the partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security. This comes just three months after a record 43-day shutdown last fall left TSA workers unpaid, with many living paycheck-to-paycheck and unable to afford going without steady income again.

Why it matters

The partial shutdown is impacting TSA staffing levels, with over 1,000 security officers leaving their jobs last October and November, a 25% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Experts warn that an extended shutdown could further disrupt the agency's workforce and lead to longer airport lines, more flight delays, and travel disruptions, especially during the busy spring break season.

The details

The partial government shutdown, which only affects the Department of Homeland Security while all other agencies remain fully funded, means TSA workers are going without paychecks again. Unlike the previous shutdown, air traffic controllers will continue receiving pay because their funding comes from the Department of Transportation. However, the longer the shutdown continues, the more disgruntled TSA workers may become, leading some to call out sick and exacerbate staffing shortages.

  • The partial shutdown entered its fourth day on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
  • The previous 43-day government shutdown occurred last fall.

The players

TSA

The Transportation Security Administration, a federal agency that oversees security at U.S. airports.

Clint Henderson

An analyst with The Points Guy, a travel and credit card rewards website.

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What they’re saying

“These workers have been through the ringer the past year or so. And here they are again, working without pay. Some of them have second jobs, some of them will have to take second jobs or even third jobs to get through this period without a paycheck. So, you know, the longer that happens, the more people decide it's probably not worth it to continue in this line of work.”

— Clint Henderson, Analyst (azfamily.com)

“You will start to see impacts to travel, including for the busy spring break season. You know, what happens is, workers are working without pay, and then they start to get resentful, and some of them start to call out sick. And then, you start having long lines, understaffing, that leads to longer lines at airports, more delays.”

— Clint Henderson, Analyst (azfamily.com)

What’s next

Congress is not expected to return until Monday, meaning no funding deal for the Department of Homeland Security is likely to happen soon. The longer the shutdown continues, the more it could impact spring break travel as disgruntled TSA workers call out sick, leading to longer airport lines and flight delays.

The takeaway

This partial government shutdown is once again putting financial strain on TSA workers, many of whom live paycheck-to-paycheck and cannot afford to go without steady income. The situation highlights the broader challenges facing federal employees during political gridlock, as well as the potential for disruptions to air travel if the shutdown drags on and staffing shortages worsen.