WASHINGTON – The head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) warned on Thursday that an extended partial U.S. government shutdown could lead to longer wait times at airports.
About 59,000 of TSA’s 62,000 employees, including air traffic controllers and TSA officers, are considered essential and would continue working without pay in the event of a shutdown, which is set to begin on Saturday unless a funding deal is reached.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske warned on social media, “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.”
The agency expects to screen a record 40 million passengers over the holidays, following a record-breaking 35-day shutdown in 2019, during which the number of absences by controllers and TSA officers rose as workers missed paychecks, extending checkpoint wait times at some airports. The Federal Aviation Administration estimates that over 17,000 employees would be furloughed and training of air traffic controllers would be halted in the event of a shutdown, putting pressure on lawmakers to end the standoff.