Federal Shutdown Impacts TSA Operations at Texas Airports

Nonprofit steps in to support unpaid TSA workers as security lines grow longer at some airports

Mar. 14, 2026 at 5:41am

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A partial federal government shutdown is affecting Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees, who are working without pay at airports in San Antonio and Austin, Texas. The nonprofit Rapid Relief Team has stepped in to provide free meals to TSA workers at the San Antonio International Airport to offer some support during this period of uncertainty. While Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has experienced unusually long security lines, the situation appears to be moving more quickly at the San Antonio airport.

Why it matters

Government shutdowns can create significant hardship for federal employees and disrupt essential services. The response from community organizations like the Rapid Relief Team highlights the importance of supporting workers during these challenging times, but does not resolve the underlying issue of delayed compensation for federal employees.

The details

TSA employees began working without pay on Friday, March 13, 2026 due to the partial federal government shutdown. At San Antonio International Airport, the nonprofit Rapid Relief Team offered free hamburgers to TSA workers to provide some comfort and support. The Rapid Relief Team is a global network with over 16,500 volunteers who assist during disasters and crises. Meanwhile, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport experienced unusually long security lines, with videos circulating online showing backups extending outside the terminal. However, security lines at San Antonio International Airport appeared to be moving quickly on Friday morning.

  • TSA employees began working without pay on Friday, March 13, 2026.
  • The Rapid Relief Team provided free meals to TSA workers at San Antonio International Airport on Friday, March 13, 2026.

The players

Rapid Relief Team

A global network with over 16,500 volunteers who assist during disasters and crises.

Aaron Holt

Team lead for the Rapid Relief Team at San Antonio International Airport.

Samara Eady

A traveler whose flight from San Antonio to South Carolina was canceled, forcing her to reroute through Austin and New Jersey.

Desmond Hinton

Samara Eady's father, who experienced quicker passage through security on his flight back to Chicago but then had to go through security a second time after joining his daughter in the terminal.

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What they’re saying

“We're just trying to do our part to facilitate them out. We're exceptionally, very thankful for what they do, keeping our airports safe, keeping our airlines safe.”

— Aaron Holt, Team lead, Rapid Relief Team

“When I flew out of O'Hare, the lines were flying. Even here, I flew through TSA lines, so keep our fingers crossed it's going to stay like that.”

— Desmond Hinton

What’s next

As the government shutdown continues, it remains to be seen how long these disruptions will last and what impact they will have on travelers and essential workers.

The takeaway

The response from community organizations like the Rapid Relief Team highlights the importance of supporting federal workers during government shutdowns, but the underlying issue of delayed compensation for essential employees must still be addressed.