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The Transportation Security Administration is a Department of Homeland Security agency, so a government shutdown will have an impact on TSA officers, including those who work at airport security checkpoints.
The last time the government shut down was from Feb. 14 to April 30, 2026, when a partial government shutdown occurred after Congress failed to reach a compromise on DHS funding legislation. During a shutdown, TSA is expected to continue normal operations, but it could cause longer lines at airport security checkpoints.
Here’s what you should know if you have travel planned during a government shutdown.
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How does a government shutdown affect TSA operations?
Since TSA officers are considered essential employees, they still have to show up to work during a government shutdown, though they will not be paid until it ends. Airport security checkpoints continue to screen travelers as usual.
TSA PreCheck, a program that helps travelers speed through security checkpoints, is also still operating normally. However, some airports have reported staffing issues, which have caused TSA wait times of several hours, especially during the busy spring break travel period.
Meanwhile, Global Entry, which helps Americans speed through U.S. customs, is now operational, as of March 11, 2026, after an initial pause that impacted airports across the U.S. and in Canada. DHS initially announced that both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck would be paused on Feb. 22, 2026, then quickly reversed course on TSA PreCheck.
A prolonged shutdown could make the situation unpredictable, as it did in the 2025 government shutdown. That shutdown, which ended on Nov. 12, was the longest in U.S. history, lasting 43 days. TSA agents called out sick at higher rates, leading to staffing shortages that created longer waits at some airport security checkpoints.
Is it safe to fly during a shutdown?
Generally, yes. TSA officers still work during a shutdown, and passengers will be screened. In the last partial shutdown, air traffic controllers were not impacted, since they fall under the purview of the Transportation Department, not DHS.
Still, as absences rise during a shutdown, some TSA workers may be forced to work longer hours or extra shifts, which strains the entire system and could lead to disruptions.
How to prepare for air travel during a government shutdown
While the situation can change day by day, there are a few things you can do to protect your plans if you’re flying during a shutdown.
- Arrive early. In case security screening lines are longer than usual, give yourself extra time.
- Use Trusted Traveler programs. Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are helpful programs to avoid long lines. CLEAR+ can also help you speed through security.
- Monitor TSA wait times. Keep an eye on social media and news reports to see whether wait times are longer at your airport. Typically, TSA’s mobile app provides live updates, but this service can be halted during a shutdown.
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