Airport Security Delays Worsen as Unpaid TSA Officers Call Out Sick

Long lines at several U.S. airports highlight staffing issues during government shutdown

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The hourslong security lines at a handful of U.S. airports this week, including Houston's Hobby Airport and airports in New Orleans and Atlanta, highlight the potential problems when a government shutdown coincides with the busy spring break travel season. The surge of millions of travelers has put pressure on the understaffed airport security system, as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers who are working without pay are increasingly calling out sick or taking on second jobs to make ends meet.

Why it matters

The longer the government shutdown continues, the more likely it is that TSA officers will miss work, leading to staffing shortages and significantly longer security lines at airports across the country. This could disrupt travel plans for millions of passengers during the busy spring break season and raises concerns about the potential impact on aviation security if the shutdown drags on.

The details

Houston's Hobby Airport weathered the worst problems, with lines consistently lasting over three hours for much of Sunday and Monday. Passengers also had to wait more than an hour to get through security at several other airports, including in New Orleans and Atlanta. The TSA and Department of Homeland Security have blamed Democrats in Congress for the long security lines, saying they are a 'direct result' of Democrats' refusal to fund the department. However, Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee rejected this notion, saying they had introduced a bill to fully fund the TSA with no conditions, which Republicans blocked.

  • On Sunday and Monday, security lines at Houston's Hobby Airport lasted over 3 hours.
  • On Sunday, the security line at the New Orleans airport stretched out of the terminal and across a parking garage, with a peak wait time of 77 minutes.

The players

Johnny Jones

Secretary-treasurer of the TSA union's bargaining unit, who said morale among the TSA workforce 'has taken a severe hit' and that it took months for him to financially recover from the previous 43-day government shutdown.

Lauren Bis

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, who said the 'chaos is a direct result of Democrats and their refusal to fund DHS.'

Chris Sununu

President and CEO of the Airlines for America trade group, who reiterated his plea for Congress to end the shutdown.

House Homeland Security Committee Democrats

Rejected the notion that they were to blame for TSA officers going unpaid, stating that they had introduced a bill to fully fund the TSA with no conditions, which Republicans blocked.

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What they’re saying

“Over the last 15 months, TSA officers have went through three government shutdowns. I refilled my water buckets and now I'm starting to empty them again. Some people were not so fortunate to be able to refill their water buckets.”

— Johnny Jones, Secretary-treasurer of the TSA union's bargaining unit (The Associated Press)

“This chaos is a direct result of Democrats and their refusal to fund DHS. These political stunts force patriotic TSA officers, who protect our skies from serious threats, to work without pay.”

— Lauren Bis, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of Homeland Security (The Associated Press)

“More than 2.7 million people cleared through TSA yesterday, but too many had to wait in extraordinarily long—and painfully slow—lines at checkpoints. It's unacceptable to have wait times of 2 or 3 hours. And it's unacceptable that TSA officers will have $0 in their paychecks this week.”

— Chris Sununu, President and CEO of the Airlines for America trade group (The Associated Press)

“FACTS: Democrats introduced a clean bill to fully fund TSA with no conditions. Republicans blocked it. Republicans would rather disrupt our travel than rein in ICE. It's shameful.”

— House Homeland Security Committee Democrats (X)

What’s next

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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.