Airline Passengers Demand Pay for TSA Officers During Shutdown

Travelers at Atlanta's busy airport are increasingly frustrated by long security lines as TSA workers go unpaid during the government funding lapse.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 6:03pm

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As the partial government shutdown continues, passengers at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport are voicing their frustration over the impact on Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing and security checkpoint wait times. With TSA officers going without paychecks since the shutdown began on February 14th, many travelers are arriving hours early for their flights out of concern for potential delays. Some passengers are calling for Congress to immediately fund the TSA to ensure airport security operations continue uninterrupted.

Why it matters

The shutdown's effect on TSA staffing and airport security lines is emerging as a major public concern, as the lack of pay for federal workers threatens to disrupt air travel nationwide. With TSA officers under financial pressure and some quitting their jobs, the shutdown could exacerbate existing staffing shortages and lead to even longer wait times at security checkpoints, potentially causing widespread travel disruptions.

The details

At Hartsfield-Jackson, one of the world's busiest airports, passengers have reported wait times spiking as high as 90 minutes on Saturday. The staffing shortages have forced the airport to close some security checkpoints at times, leading to unpredictable wait times. Nationwide, the TSA has reported absentee rates two to three times higher than normal, with at least 376 officers quitting since the shutdown began.

  • The partial government shutdown began on February 14, 2026.
  • TSA officers have gone without paychecks since the shutdown started on February 14th.

The players

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

One of the world's busiest airports, located in Atlanta, Georgia.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

The federal agency responsible for airport security screening of passengers and luggage.

Christian Childress

A private flight attendant who frequently travels through TSA checkpoints when flying commercially.

Tyrone Williams

A retiree from the Atlanta suburb of Ellenwood who was queued up for screening before his flight to Philadelphia.

Jackie Donahue

A nurse from Oldsmar, Florida who was flying home to Tampa after a European river cruise.

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What they’re saying

“Issue No. 1 should be paying the people who need to get paid and keeping our air travel system secure. Then they can debate whatever they want to debate about homeland security.”

— Christian Childress, Private Flight Attendant

“I don't want to go between the Democrats and the Republicans, but I think the Democrats are holding everything up because they can't get their way.”

— Tyrone Williams, Retiree

“We need to thank the people that are here.”

— Jackie Donahue, Nurse

What’s next

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he would offer an alternative measure on Saturday to fund just the TSA, though that is likely to fail as lawmakers hold a rare weekend session.

The takeaway

The shutdown's impact on TSA staffing and airport security has emerged as a major public concern, as the lack of pay for federal workers threatens to disrupt air travel nationwide. Resolving this issue quickly by funding the TSA is crucial to maintaining the smooth operation of the nation's aviation system.