US agency warns extended government shutdown could lead to long lines at airports

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The head of the Transportation Security Administration on Thursday warned that an extended partial U.S. government shutdown could lead to longer wait times at airports.

TSA, which handles airport security screening, said about 59,000 of its 62,000 employees are considered essential and would continue working without pay in the event of a shutdown that would begin on Saturday unless the government reaches a funding deal.

Air traffic controllers and TSA officers are among the government workers who would be required to keep working but would not be paid.

“While our personnel are prepared to handle high volumes of travelers and ensure safe travel, please be aware that an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said on social media.

The agency expects to screen a record 40 million passengers over the holidays after setting records over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Without a deal, the Federal Aviation Administration estimates it would have to furlough more than 17,000 employees and halt training of air traffic controllers.

In 2019 during a 35-day shutdown, the number of absences by controllers and TSA officers rose as workers missed paychecks, extending checkpoint wait times at some airports. The FAA was forced to slow air traffic, putting pressure on lawmakers to end the standoff.