The political crisis in Washington, D.C., is like a shockwave. It has spread from the halls of Congress directly to the baggage carousels at airports across the country. Travelers in the United States are experiencing one of the most visible aspects of the current government shutdown.
Let’s look on the bright side: the hundreds of Transportation Security Administration agents who are calling in sick… Surely they can’t be that sick.
But no one likes to work for free without getting a paycheck in return, so it’s understandable that they are staying away from work en masse. During this government shutdown, one in five TSA agents has called in sick on a single day. One of the airports most affected was New York’s JFK International Airport, which received 400 calls over the weekend from staff saying they would not be coming to work.
Needless to say, this has had a negative impact on airport traffic; after all, TSA agents, like air traffic controllers, are considered essential employees. This means they are required to report to work to ensure national security, even if they are not receiving a salary while the government remains shut down. Hence, a large number of them came down with a cold or mysterious gastroenteritis last weekend.
Why is there no pay?
To understand all the chaos currently unfolding at airports, we must understand why the government has shut down. The shutdown began on October 1, 2025, because Congress failed to pass appropriations bills for the new fiscal year. The dispute centers on social spending, and as everything is highly politicized. Democrats do not want to approve funding unless Republicans extend key tax credits for the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
In turn, Republicans have refused to budge, demanding cuts that have affected sensitive programs such as Medicaid and SNAP. While politicians debate, essential employees such as TSA agents become pawns. The average annual salary for a TSA agent is approximately $48,500.
The first zero-paycheck for most employees was scheduled for October 24. It has also been reported that food banks have had to bring food to TSA agents working at airports such as Philadelphia.
The Domino Effect at Airports
The reduced number of TSA agents is immediately noticeable in airport security lines. More than 12,000 flights were delayed in the first week of October alone. The Federal Aviation Administration also has to deal with air traffic controllers. Like TSA agents, these workers are working without pay and reporting an increase in absences.
With a shortage of air traffic control personnel, the FAA must order flow controls, which slow down takeoffs and landings. This is an operational crisis that has a monumental cost to the economy. The U.S. Travel Association estimates that the shutdown is costing the tourism industry $1 billion per week in lost revenue. The question is not whether there will be delays, but how catastrophic they will be as we approach the Thanksgiving and Christmas travel season.
How does the shutdown affect other areas?
The shutdown affects not only airports, but all public administrations and everyday life. Although Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals are essential, the processing of veterans’ benefit claims is slowed down dramatically. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) halts much of its refund processing and customer service.
The publication of key economic data (such as BLS employment reports) is suspended. In general, the government is leaving the entire population in limbo.
If you have to catch a flight soon, we recommend that you arrive at the airport hours in advance and be prepared for the possibility of a flight delay. And remember to be civic to TSA agents; you wouldn’t be in a good mood if you had to work with no pay in sight. Good luck with your trip!