Government Shutdown Enters 29th Day

The partial government shutdown has entered its 29th day, causing significant disruptions to air travel as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers work without pay. Senate Democrats blocked a bill funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the fourth time in February 2024, with Republicans demanding full department funding and Democrats attempting to fund the TSA separately.

Both parties are blaming each other for the standoff, with Democrats accusing Republicans of taking hostages and Republicans accusing Democrats of grandstanding. The shutdown has led to increased absenteeism among TSA officers, disrupting travel at major airports during the busy spring break season.

TSA workers are required to provide doctor's notes if they call out sick for even a single day or face disciplinary action. According to internal statistics, more than 300 TSA workers across the country have quit since the shutdown began. On Wednesday, volunteers handed out boxes of food to help over 500 TSA agents at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Long security lines have snaked into baggage claim areas and parking garages at some U.S. airports this weekend due to the government shutdown. Philadelphia Airport closed a terminal checkpoint because of TSA staffing issues, and other airports like Houston Hobby and New Orleans reported security lines exceeding two hours.

The Department of Homeland Security restarted the Global Entry program on March 12th, which expedites U.S. customs and immigration clearance for pre-approved travelers. The Trump administration reinstated this service after halting it due to the partial government shutdown. Travelers must apply for Global Entry and pay a fee of $120 that lasts five years.

TSA PreCheck remains operational at most U.S. airports, although lanes are being evaluated on a case-by-case basis due to staffing constraints. Many airports have been struggling with massive security lines as spring break travel is in full swing, with wait times for travelers of 3.5 hours reported at major hubs.

Some aviation experts see the TSA screening partnership program, which allows airports to use private contractors for security checkpoints, as a potential model for keeping security lines moving during shutdowns. San Francisco International Airport (SFO), one of nearly two dozen U.S. airports using this program, has maintained screening operations without disruption.

However, critics caution that privatization is not a silver bullet and could introduce new risks, such as eroding job protections and reducing pay and benefits for workers already facing high turnover amid demanding conditions. The union representing federal screeners argues that moving operations to private companies could weaken accountability for aviation security.