Updated at 6:43 p.m.: The U.S. government appeared poised to avoid a lengthy government shutdown after the House of Representatives approved the bill Friday. funds bill Hours before the midnight deadline. The bill is expected to pass the Senate and then go to President Biden’s desk for his signature.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) warns: impending government shutdown Travelers may experience longer wait times at airport security checkpoints. The warning comes as the TSA says it expects Achieved a record of 40 million air passengers They will be taking to the skies during a two-week holiday trip that began Thursday.
Most TSA employees (about 95%) are essential employees and will continue to work without pay in the event of a shutdown, TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a post on X.
Air traffic controllers are also considered essential employees and are expected to work without pay. Salaries to employees will be paid after the closure ends.
The U.S. Travel Association, a trade group representing the industry, said Friday that the government shutdown could cost the industry $1 billion a week, given disruptions during peak travel periods. .
“Americans will not tolerate an extended government shutdown that threatens to disrupt holiday travel,” the group’s CEO Jeff Freeman said in a statement. “It’s hard to see how anyone in Congress could win if they forced TSA agents, air traffic controllers, and other essential employees to work without pay during the busiest travel season of the year.”
The organization’s survey found that 60% of Americans would consider changing their travel plans if a government shutdown caused major economic losses to travel-related businesses, including the complete cancellation of airline tickets and trips. It also turned out that it did.
Here’s how the government shutdown will impact consumer air travel.
Will the government shutdown affect air travel?
Not so far. Passengers will be able to travel on their booked flights, and flights are expected to continue as normal, at least during the initial stages of the closure. TSA agents, air traffic controllers and other essential airport staff will continue to work.
Will the TSA inspection lines be long?
Passengers are always encouraged to arrive at the airport earlier than usual during peak travel seasons, but that advice may apply even more in the event of a closure.
TSA’s Pekoske said, “Our officers are prepared to handle the high volume of travelers and ensure safe travel, but are mindful that prolonged closures may result in longer wait times at airports.” I want it,” he warned.
“The advice is to arrive at the airport early to allow enough time to park your car, drop off your luggage and go through security,” he added.
The last government shutdown lasted 35 days from 2018 to 2019. TSA employees were considered essential at the time, but as the shutdown dragged on and financial hardship continued, the number of employees reporting sick increased.
“Once TSA employees started missing paychecks, we saw an increase in the number of sick calls,” said Chris Van Cleve, senior transportation and national correspondent for CBS News. “Not all airports will be affected immediately, especially if it is a short-term closure. If it is prolonged, we will have some of the lowest paid employees in the civil service,” he said. .
If the government shutdown continues for an extended period of time, significantly fewer TSA employees will likely be working, which will likely result in longer wait times at security checkpoints.
What about air traffic controllers?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is already grappling with a shortage of air traffic controllers, who are responsible for securing the nation’s airspace by guiding takeoffs and landings and making sure planes don’t fly too close to each other. About a month since the last closure, LaGuardia Airport flight was temporarily delayed Due to a shortage of personnel, including air traffic controllers.
In the event of a grounding, more than 14,000 air traffic controllers in the United States are expected to go to work without pay.
What does the government shutdown mean for passport processing?
According to the State Department’s contingency plan, consular operations will continue as normal “as long as there are sufficient funds to support operations” because consular operations are essential to national security. This also includes passport and visa services.
However, some passport services may be limited if they are located in a building operated by another non-functioning institution.
