TSA Workers Miss First Full Paycheck as Shutdown Continues

Spring break travel ramps up, causing long airport lines as hundreds of TSA agents quit their jobs

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:18am

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TSA workers received a $0 paycheck this weekend, their first fully missed paycheck during the partial government shutdown. Union stewards and airline CEOs are calling on Congress to fund the Department of Homeland Security so federal aviation workers can be paid. The shutdown is impacting travel, with long lines and wait times at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as spring break ramps up. Over 300 TSA agents have quit their jobs during the shutdown.

Why it matters

The partial government shutdown is having a significant impact on TSA workers and air travel, with hundreds of TSA agents quitting their jobs and long lines at major airports as spring break travel increases. This raises concerns about public safety and the ability of the TSA to effectively carry out its mission to protect the flying public.

The details

TSA workers received a $0 paycheck this weekend, their first fully missed paycheck during the partial government shutdown. Union steward George Borek said TSA officers are having 'mental breakdowns' due to the uncertainty. Airline CEOs and a Georgia state senator are calling on Congress to fund the Department of Homeland Security so federal aviation workers can be paid. At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, lines stretched across the airport and wait times exceeded an hour and a half as spring break travel ramped up. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said 300 TSA workers have quit their jobs during the shutdown.

  • TSA workers received a $0 paycheck this weekend.
  • On Saturday, President Donald Trump called on TSA agents to go to work while thanking them for showing up.

The players

George Borek

A union steward and TSA officer.

Tina Bridge Mohan

A Georgia state senator who has resigned to focus on her campaign for lieutenant governor.

Sean Duffy

The U.S. Transportation Secretary.

Delta

One of the nation's top airlines calling on Congress to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

United

One of the nation's top airlines calling on Congress to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

American

One of the nation's top airlines calling on Congress to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

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What they’re saying

“People are terrified. People are scared. They don't know what tomorrow is going to bring. A lot of them are trying, you know, they're having mental breakdowns.”

— George Borek, Union steward and TSA officer

“But they have to do something about it. It's unfortunate because it's happening, because it's affecting all of us.”

— Tina Bridge Mohan, Georgia state senator

“Okay, I don't blame them. I mean, the government should do something about it. Because we need traveling. Traveling is a spice of life. Everybody's traveling. You need things to operate. You know, if you want all the tourism and all the people coming to Atlanta.”

— Tina Bridge Mohan, Georgia state senator

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

The partial government shutdown is having a severe impact on TSA workers and air travel, with hundreds of TSA agents quitting their jobs and long lines at major airports. This raises serious concerns about public safety and the ability of the TSA to effectively carry out its mission to protect the flying public, underscoring the need for Congress to quickly resolve the funding impasse.