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US Airport Delays Worsen as DHS Shutdown Hits TSA Staffing

Air travel across the United States is facing significant disruption due to TSA staffing shortages caused by the partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns the situation is deteriorating, with over 10% of officers absent and nearly 400 having quit since the shutdown began. The administration is considering deploying Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel to assist at overwhelmed airport checkpoints. TSA officers, who are currently working without pay, are facing severe financial strain, contributing to the staffing crisis.

Key Points: US Airport Delays Grow Amid DHS Shutdown, TSA Staffing Crisis

  • Over 10% TSA absenteeism
  • 400 officers quit since shutdown
  • Some airports missing 30-40% staff
  • ICE personnel may assist checkpoints
  • Officers working without pay
2 min read

US airport delays grow as DHS shutdown hits TSA staffing

TSA staffing shortages cause major US airport delays as DHS shutdown continues. Over 10% absenteeism reported, with 400 officers quit.

"I do think it's going to get much worse. - Sean Duffy"

Washington, March 22

Air travel across the United States is facing growing disruption as a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has affected airport security operations, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning of worsening delays and staff shortages.

In an interview on ABC News' This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Duffy said the situation could deteriorate further in the coming days.

"I do think it's going to get much worse," he said, pointing to mounting financial strain on Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel and rising absenteeism.

More than 10 per cent of TSA officers have already failed to report for duty on some days, while around 400 officers have quit since the shutdown began, according to figures cited during the interview.

Duffy said staffing shortages are disrupting airport operations nationwide. "You have some airports where we're missing as many as 30 to 40 per cent of agents," he said, adding that such gaps can cause airports to "grind to a halt".

The impact is being felt most acutely during peak travel periods, with long security queues reported at major airports.

"This is spring break. We have families that are trying to go on vacation, and they're stuck in lines for two, three hours at a time," Duffy said.

TSA personnel, who typically earn around $50,000 annually, are currently working without pay, adding to the strain. Duffy acknowledged that many are struggling to meet basic expenses.

"They're going to take other jobs to put food on the table and pay the rent," he said, explaining the rising attrition.

To ease pressure, the administration is considering deploying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel to assist at airport checkpoints.

"If we can bring in other assets and tools to assist TSA to get rid of these lines, yes, I think that makes a lot of sense," Duffy said.

He said ICE personnel have relevant operational experience. "They run those same type of security machines at the southern border," he added.

The move is aimed at maintaining passenger flow and reducing delays as staffing shortages persist.

Duffy said the administration is also urging TSA officers to continue reporting for duty despite the lack of pay. "I'm asking for them to come," he said, noting that workers would receive back pay once funding is restored.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
It's heartbreaking to read about TSA officers struggling to pay rent and buy food. $50,000 isn't a huge salary to begin with, and working without pay is unacceptable. The human cost of these political shutdowns is always so high. Hope they get back pay soon.
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Priya S
Using ICE agents at airports? That seems like a strange solution. Their training is for border security, not necessarily for the fast-paced, customer-facing role of airport screening. Might create more confusion. The real fix is to pay the TSA properly and end the shutdown.
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Aman W
Reading this from India, it's a reminder that government dysfunction happens everywhere. We have our own issues, but at least essential staff usually get paid. Feel for the families stuck in 3-hour lines during spring break. Vacation ruined!
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Karthik V
The Secretary is "asking" them to come to work without pay? That's not how it works, sir. You can't feed your family with requests. This is a basic failure of governance. The world's largest economy should not have its airport security grinding to a halt.
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Michael C
Operational experience at the border is not the same as at an airport terminal with thousands of passengers. This seems like a rushed, patchwork fix. The core problem is the shutdown. Solve that first.

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