Airport Security Lines Grow as TSA Staffing Drops During Shutdown

Travelers face longer wait times at major hubs as unpaid TSA officers struggle to make it to work.

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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The partial government shutdown has led to staffing shortages at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints across the country, resulting in longer security lines at some major airports. While disruptions have been modest so far, experts warn the situation could worsen as more TSA officers miss paychecks and struggle to afford commuting to work.

Why it matters

The TSA staffing issues during the government shutdown highlight the potential for significant travel disruptions if the impasse in Washington continues. Lengthy security lines can cause missed flights, travel delays, and frustration for passengers, with broader economic impacts if the problems persist.

The details

Images of long security lines at airports like Houston and New Orleans have spread on social media, but so far major hubs like Dallas, Denver, and New York have experienced only modest increases in wait times. However, TSA officials warn that staffing shortages are likely to accelerate after Friday when affected Department of Homeland Security employees miss their first full paycheck. TSA officers have reported taking on second jobs and even sleeping in their cars at airports to make ends meet during the shutdown.

  • The partial government shutdown began on February 14, 2026 when Congress failed to reach a deal on immigration enforcement funding.
  • TSA officers are set to miss their first full paycheck on Friday, January 25, 2026.

The players

Darrell English

A TSA officer at Chicago Midway International Airport and the president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 777, a union representing TSA officers in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Ha Nguyen McNeill

The TSA's acting administrator, who told a House committee last month that some TSA employees slept in their cars at airports and sold blood plasma to make ends meet during the record 43-day shutdown last fall.

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What they’re saying

“Officers would like to come to work, but they're unable to make it there because they don't have the financing.”

— Darrell English, TSA officer and union president (The New York Times)

“You can't control how many officers are going to be able to make it to work.”

— Darrell English, TSA officer and union president (The New York Times)

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.