Airport Security Lines Improve as TSA Agents Get Paid, But Challenges Remain

Experts warn of potential 'mass exodus' of TSA officers in coming weeks due to financial strain from government shutdown

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:57pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After weeks of travel chaos caused by the government shutdown and TSA agents going without paychecks, the long security lines at major U.S. airports have started to show signs of improvement. Most Transportation Security Administration officers have now started receiving pay for the first time in over a month, but experts warn that the ordeal is far from over as more than 500 agents have already quit their jobs.

Why it matters

The government shutdown has had a significant impact on the operations of the Transportation Security Administration, leading to severe staffing shortages and causing major disruptions for air travelers. As one of the busier travel periods of the year, the shutdown has created chaos at airports across the country, raising concerns about public safety and the ability of the TSA to effectively carry out its duties.

The details

While the payment of TSA agents has helped to alleviate some of the issues, experts warn that the situation is likely to get worse in the coming weeks as more officers are expected to quit their jobs due to the financial strain caused by the missed paychecks. Union representatives have stated that the back pay 'is not going to address systemic issues' and that it will be difficult for agents to recover from the shutdown, which is the longest in the agency's nearly 25-year history.

  • The government shutdown has now exceeded 40 days.
  • President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week as a 'temporary fix' to pay TSA officers.
  • Congress is currently on a two-week recess, with calls for lawmakers to cut their recess short amid growing anger over the shutdown.

The players

Caleb Harmon-Marshall

A former TSA officer who wrote on his travel Substack, Gate Access, that the 'TSA fiasco isn't over just yet' and that travelers should 'remain cautious of long wait times at airports across the country for the next couple of weeks'.

Aaron Barker

An Atlanta TSA officer and president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 554, who believes more agents will quit in the coming weeks due to multiple missed paychecks.

Johnny Jones

The secretary-treasurer of the union's TSA Council 100, who said that back pay 'is not going to address systemic issues' and that it would be difficult for agents to recover from the shutdown.

Tom Homan

The White House border czar who said he hoped President Trump would urge lawmakers to return from their recess sooner than April 13, when they are due back in Washington, D.C.

Abigail Jackson

A White House spokeswoman who stated that the 'Democrat shutdown has created chaos for American travelers and TSA employees alike' and that the deployment of ICE officers to airports has 'helped make the travel process smoother for travelers and provided much-needed relief to TSA employees'.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this TSA fiasco isn't over just yet; it's actually about to get worse. Travelers should remain cautious of long wait times at airports across the country for the next couple of weeks, as TSA officers are still financially strained due to extremely low paychecks.”

— Caleb Harmon-Marshall, Former TSA officer

“I do think that there's going to be a mass exodus of officers. Officers have gone into debt. Credit has been shot. Officers have been evicted. Cars have been repossessed.”

— Aaron Barker, Atlanta TSA officer and president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 554

“Back pay is not going to address systemic issues and it would be difficult for agents to recover from the shutdown, which is the longest in the agency's nearly 25-year history.”

— Johnny Jones, Secretary-treasurer of the union's TSA Council 100

“They're on vacation right now while tens of thousands of DHS employees aren't being paid.”

— Tom Homan, White House border czar

“The Democrat shutdown has created chaos for American travelers and TSA employees alike. Our great ICE officers are always ready to step in and help the American people when needed. President Trump's brilliant idea to send ICE to airports has helped make the travel process smoother for travelers and provided much-needed relief to TSA employees who the Democrats have forced to work without pay for so long.”

— Abigail Jackson, White House spokeswoman

What’s next

Congress is expected to return from their two-week recess on April 13, at which point they will need to work to resolve the ongoing government shutdown and provide a more permanent solution for TSA staffing and funding.

The takeaway

The temporary fix of paying TSA agents has helped to alleviate some of the issues caused by the government shutdown, but the long-term impacts on the agency's workforce and operations remain a significant concern. As one of the busier travel periods of the year, the shutdown has created chaos at airports across the country, raising questions about the ability of the TSA to effectively carry out its duties and the need for lawmakers to prioritize a resolution to the ongoing crisis.