The impact of the government shutdown is rippling through airports, and viral videos showing long, slow-moving security lines and crowded terminals are fueling concerns among travelers.
“Air travel during a shutdown does not necessarily fail all at once,” Christopher Anderson, professor of operations, technology and information management at Cornell University, told HuffPost. “It becomes progressively more fragile as staffing pressure meets peak demand.”
With the shutdown now in its fourth week, travelers are experiencing major disruptions and delays due to staffing issues.
“TSA screeners are about to miss their first full paycheck,” said Paul Bernardini, head of marketing at the flight tracking app Flighty. “As a result, more are taking time off, which will cause staffing gaps.”
As the weeks stretch on, some TSA workers will call out and seek other sources of income to pay their bills. Those who receive other job offers may resign from the TSA, leaving the agency even more short-staffed.
Bernardini noted that travelers should expect the slower airport security to continue until there’s a funding agreement to reopen the government.
“In some cases, security wait times are exceeding three hours,” said Eric Napoli, the chief legal officer at AirHelp. “For passengers that did not factor in the possibility of longer lines, many are missing their flights as a result. If the shutdown remains in place, the situation and impact on the aviation industry will only become more stressed.”
As a recent slew of viral videos has shown, travelers are already experiencing severe slowdown at airports in Atlanta, Charlotte, New Orleans and Houston.
“Spring break travel is also ramping up,” said Jennifer Yellin, managing editor at Points Path, “which means more passengers heading to the airport.”
This combination is a perfect storm of springtime travel chaos.
“When even a few security lanes close during busy travel periods like spring break, wait times can quickly stretch to hours at some airports,” said Jesse Neugarten, founder and CEO of Dollar Flight Club.
People flying amid the shutdown can anticipate potential security screening delays, rebooking friction and unforeseen costs from disrupted itineraries.
“The long TSA lines travelers are seeing are really a symptom of a system with very little slack in it during one of the busiest leisure travel windows of the year,” Anderson said. “Unfortunately, travelers can’t control the shutdown, but they can control buffer time, preparation, and how quickly they respond if something goes wrong.”
There are steps travelers can take to reduce their stress and avoid missing flights. Here’s what experts recommend.
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
Before your air travel journey begins, take a moment to gather all the important logistical details and resources. Identify some backup plan options, as well. Maybe there’s an alternate flight itinerary or even a train you can book if your original trip doesn’t work out.
Anderson said travelers should “have all the right information and contact numbers if they need to make sudden changes to travel.” That will make it easier to reach the correct customer service or other help line in the event of a disruption.
Try to simplify the process as much as possible.
“If you can avoid checking a bag, that can also save time,” said Lauren Gumport, vice president of communications and brand at Faye Travel Insurance. “If you do get stuck at the airport, come prepared ― bring a portable charger since outlets are usually taken, download shows or movies in advance and pack something to read.”
For those who need to check a bag, make sure you pack a change of clothes in toiletry essentials in your carry-on.
“This is especially important if you’re traveling with kids,” Napoli said. “This can feel like a lifesaver if your luggage goes missing, or if you’re delayed in the airport after you’ve dropped off your bags.”
Get to the airport earlier than usual.
“Long TSA lines can build quickly, and when staffing is stretched, the usual ‘two hours before a domestic flight’ rule may not be enough,” Gumport said.
Pay attention to airport guidance as you make travel plans.
“Give yourself a serious buffer,” Bernardini said. “Airports like Atlanta and New Orleans are telling travelers to arrive at least three hours early.”
On peak spring break travel days, you might need even more time.
“Show up earlier than usual,” Yellin said. “While sitting at the airport for longer can be a nuisance, it’s better than potentially missing your flight due to the long TSA lines. See if you have access to an airport lounge ― which is a benefit of many premium credit cards ― to occupy the time.”
Monitor security wait times.
“Travelers should monitor airport security wait times before leaving home,” Gumport said. “The MyTSA app publishes estimated checkpoint wait times at airports across the U.S., which can help you decide when to head to the airport.”
Many airport websites also provide up-to-date wait times.
“Keep on top of waits with tools like MyTSA app to check historical checkpoint business and prepare for screening in advance,” Anderson said. “Busy periods like this reinforce the utility of services like TSA PreCheck and Mobile Passport Control.”
Book earlier and off-peak flights.
“Book a flight earlier in the day,” Yellin said. “As the day goes on, airports tend to see more delays amongst all airlines. An earlier flight time sometimes mitigates those delays.”
Delays and congestion tend to compound throughout the day, so aim for a flight during an off-peak period, if possible.
“Booking a flight during an off-peak time helps for a smoother airport experience ― such as flight out Tuesday morning versus Monday morning, which is a very popular travel time for business travel,” Yellin said.
Build buffer time into your trip.
“Build extra buffer time into connections, consider flexible tickets and avoid booking important activities on the first day of your trip in case you arrive later than expected,” Gumport said.
Also, research backup travel itineraries, in case things go awry.
“The biggest mistake right now is assuming the airport will operate like a normal travel day,” Neugarten said. “During disruptions like a shutdown, even small staffing shortages can create ripple effects at security checkpoints. Travelers should plan for extra time and keep a close eye on airline notifications for delays or schedule changes.”
Consider investing in expedited screening programs.
“Another way to get through security faster is to use an expedited screening program, such as TSA PreCheck or CLEAR,” Yellin said.
These programs come with a cost, but you might not have to pay yourself.
“Remember most premium American Express-issued cards come with a complimentary CLEAR+ membership, which can help shorten the wait time,” said Jimmy Yoon, a travel expert and loyalty specialist at the travel search engine Point.me. “Be sure to add your Known Traveler Number to get PreCheck if eligible. Those lines are typically much shorter and move faster than the standard security lines.”
Cut down on the time you spend in lines by checking in for flights online and using kiosks to print checked bag tags when needed.
Research travel insurance options.
Consider buying travel insurance for extra peace of mind. If you’re taking an expensive bucket-list vacation that involves lots of pricy non-refundable bookings, then designated coverage might be worth it.
Just carefully compare plan options to choose the best one for you.
“Standard travel insurance doesn’t cover government shutdown disruptions because at this point it’s a known event, not an unforeseen one,” Bernardini said. “Some companies offer CFAR ― cancel for any reason ― services and similar Disruption-For-Any-Reason protection that can help with refunds or rebooking if your airline doesn’t cover it.”
Although travel insurance can’t prevent disruptions, it might ease some of the stress. In addition to covering non-refundable expenses like flights, hotels, tours and change fees, travel insurance may also offer certain convenience benefits.
Gumport said that Faye policyholders can get free access to airport lounges for delays of three hours or more and reimbursement for meals and essentials for delays of six hours or more. If travelers arrive at least two hours before a flight and still miss it due to long TSA lines, they may also be eligible for cash benefits.
Check your credit card benefits.
“It’s also worth checking your credit card,” Bernardini said. “Many premium travel cards include trip delay protection, and you may already be covered without knowing it.”
Check whether the card you used to book your trip offers any protections. As always, pay attention to the fine print to determine if you might want additional coverage.
“Some premium cards offer limited delay or interruption coverage, but those benefits are often more restricted than standalone travel insurance, and typically you must pay for all travel expenses on that card to qualify,” Gumport said.
Know your rights.
Keep in mind that you have rights as an air passenger in the U.S., even amid a government shutdown.
“If the airline informs that passenger that their flight is cancelled or that there is a new schedule that makes the flight significantly delayed, the passenger is entitled to reject the new schedule, decide not to take the flight, and obtain a full cash refund,” Napoli said.
Although the Trump administration scrapped a Biden-era Department of Transportation proposal that would have required airlines to compensate passengers for significant delays, the DOT website does offer a guide outlining passengers’ rights so that travelers can advocate for themselves.
“Airlines are required to adhere to the promises that they make in their customer service plan, including commitments to care for customers in the event of controllable delays or cancellations. The Department of Transport will hold airlines accountable if they fail to do so,” Napoli said. “Also, in the event your bags are delayed, lost or damaged, remember airlines are required to compensate for reasonable expenses.”
It’s natural to get frustrated in these situations, but don’t take out your feelings on airport workers.
“In case anything happens to your flights due to the long security lines, be patient and nice to the airline agents when it comes to getting assistance with rebookings,” Yoon said. “They will be just as stressed as you as many other passengers are likely needing assistance too.”