Long security lines form at airports as TSA agents miss first full paycheck amid DHS standoff
TSA Agents Face Pay Disruption as Airports Experience Extended Security Delays
Travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport faced long waits on Sunday as security lines stretched through the domestic terminal, causing frustration among those eager to board their flights. The situation arose just days after TSA agents missed their first full paycheck, as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remained without funding. At the airport, parallel queues formed, with digital displays showing wait times varying from four minutes for TSA PreCheck users to over an hour at the main checkpoint.
Despite the delays, most passengers remained composed. The airport, a major hub for Delta Air Lines, typically operates smoothly, but the ongoing government impasse has disrupted that rhythm. Laronda Monteiro, an Atlanta resident, arrived three hours early for her flight to New Orleans, citing the effort as worthwhile. “I know we have to be secure, and I just appreciate those who are still with TSA, remaining on the job,” she said in a
blockquote>. “I can wait for the safety and security.”
Morgan Young, returning to Washington, expressed her displeasure with the travel interruptions. “It’s stressful, honestly,” she said in a
blockquote>. “I feel like Atlanta airport runs as smooth as possible, but it is stressful for sure. And more stressful for the people who aren’t getting paid and are at work.”
Ezer Gill, waiting to pass through security to reach Fort Lauderdale, shared his concern over the strain on travelers. “Air travel is an essential part of how our country operates, and if we can’t get to where we need to go, it’s going to affect a lot of people,” he said in a
blockquote>. “It’s affecting me and a lot of the other people, I’ve heard.”
Political Delays Impact TSA Operations
Democratic lawmakers have stalled Republican attempts to pass a new funding bill for DHS, raising concerns about the agency’s handling of immigration enforcement. Funding for DHS expired on Feb. 13, prompting Democrats to demand reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection before approving a new appropriation. TSA workers, deemed essential employees, continued their duties without full pay, having received a partial paycheck after the shutdown and missing their first full payment on Friday.
Over 300 TSA staff have quit since February, according to the agency. Similar delays were reported at airports in Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, Austin, and Chicago. A TikTok video from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport captured a winding queue at 2 a.m., with the poster advising travelers to arrive hours early. “I arrived four hours early and still missed my 2:30 a.m. flight,” she said in the
blockquote>. Some commenters noted that wait times eased later Sunday, aligning with updates from Austin’s airport on X, which described “very long” lines early in the day but said they had subsided by mid-morning.
A traveler at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport shared footage of a security line that looped back on itself three times. The video’s caption indicated it took about two hours to clear the checkpoint. TSA addressed the issue in a social media post, urging Democrats to resolve the partial shutdown. “A $0 paycheck for those continuing to serve,” the agency wrote. “Enough is enough. No more playing politics with the lives of Americans.”
A DHS spokesperson did not respond to NBC News’ request for comment on Sunday. Anthony Riley, 58, who has worked at Syracuse Hancock International Airport during the shutdown, voiced fears of homelessness if the situation persists. He mentioned losing his car during the previous government shutdown and lacking savings to rely on. “The problem is that my credit rating was wrecked by the last government shutdown,” he said, highlighting the personal toll of the funding crisis.
