BWI-Marshall TSA Officers Receive Partial Paychecks Amid Shutdown

Hundreds of TSA officers at the Baltimore airport are only getting half their usual pay due to the ongoing partial federal government shutdown.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport are only receiving partial paychecks as the partial federal government shutdown continues. Nearly 600 TSA officers at BWI-Marshall have been required to work without getting paid in full, leading to growing concerns among union leaders and airport travelers about the impact on staffing and security checkpoints.

Why it matters

The partial paychecks for TSA officers at BWI-Marshall highlight the broader impacts of the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has left many government employees working without full pay. This raises concerns about potential staffing shortages and disruptions to airport security operations, which could inconvenience travelers and pose risks to public safety.

The details

TSA officers at BWI-Marshall are only receiving half of their usual paychecks due to the partial federal government shutdown. Union leaders say concerns are growing as members see the smaller numbers on their new paystubs, especially as many are still recovering financially from the last shutdown. Despite the partial paychecks, ticketed passengers at BWI-Marshall have so far experienced no public-facing symptoms of shutdown-related staffing issues, with TSA Precheck lanes remaining open. However, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned that the government may have to prioritize security checkpoints if TSA officers have to seek other jobs to provide for their families.

  • Friday, February 28, 2026 is payday for hundreds of TSA officers at BWI-Marshall Airport.

The players

Andrew Cardoso

A representative with AFGE Local 1260, the union that represents TSA officers.

Kristi Noem

The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

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What they’re saying

“People's lives and livelihoods are being played with here, and it's one of those things that should never happen.”

— Andrew Cardoso, AFGE Local 1260 representative (WBAL-TV 11 News)

“If we end up in a situation where these TSA officers have to go get other jobs and provide for their families, we'll have to prioritize where the most travelers go through their security checkpoints.”

— Kristi Noem, Department of Homeland Security Secretary (WBAL-TV 11 News)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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