Long security lines form at airports as TSA agents miss first full paycheck amid DHS standoff
Extended Security Delays at Airports as TSA Staff Face Pay Stagnation During DHS Funding Crisis
ATLANTA — On Sunday, travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport faced extended security delays, with long lines snaking through the domestic terminal. The situation left many weary passengers struggling to navigate the checkpoints, though most remained composed despite the inconvenience. The delays emerged just days after TSA agents missed their first full paycheck, as the Department of Homeland Security continued its funding impasse.
Travelers Adjust to Unprecedented Challenges
At the airport, travelers formed parallel queues as they moved through security. A digital signage displayed varying wait times, from four minutes for TSA PreCheck users up to over an hour at standard checkpoints. While the lines stretched for hours, most travelers appeared patient, emphasizing the importance of security over immediate discomfort.
“I know we have to be secure, and I just appreciate those who are still with TSA, remaining on the job,” said Laronda Monteiro, an Atlanta resident who arrived three hours early for her flight to New Orleans. “I can wait for the safety and security.”
“It’s stressful, honestly,” remarked Morgan Young, traveling back to Washington. “I feel like Atlanta airport runs as smooth as possible, but it is stressful for sure. And more stressful for the people who aren’t getting paid and are at work.”
Ezer Gill, who waited to clear security before returning home to Fort Lauderdale, expressed frustration over the impact on daily life. “Air travel is an essential part of how our country operates, and if we can’t get to where we need to go, it’s going to affect a lot of people,” he said. “It’s affecting me and a lot of the other people, I’ve heard.”
Funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired on February 13, sparking a political stalemate. Democratic lawmakers have stalled Republican proposals to approve a new funding bill, demanding reforms to immigration enforcement agencies before agreeing to support the measure. TSA workers, deemed essential employees, have been operating without full pay since the shutdown began, with only partial compensation received recently. Their first full paycheck was delayed, contributing to growing dissatisfaction.
Across the Nation: Airports Report Similar Disruptions
Similar congestion was observed in other major hubs, including Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, Austin, and Chicago, with social media videos capturing the long queues in cities nationwide. In Austin, a traveler posted a TikTok video at 2 a.m., showing a winding security line and advising others to arrive early. Despite arriving four hours before departure, she missed her 2:30 a.m. flight, highlighting the severity of the delays.
By Sunday morning, some reported a slight improvement, aligning with updates from Austin’s airport, which noted that lines had eased a few hours after the initial rush. In Chicago, a video from O’Hare International Airport depicted a security queue looping three times, with the filmer estimating a two-hour wait to pass through.
“A $0 paycheck for those continuing to serve,” wrote TSA on X. “Enough is enough. No more playing politics with the lives of Americans.”
TSA acknowledged the long wait times in a Saturday post, urging lawmakers to end the partial shutdown. Meanwhile, Anthony Riley, 58, who has kept working at Syracuse Hancock International Airport during the crisis, voiced concerns about his financial stability. He told NBC News last week that last year’s government shutdown damaged his credit and left him without savings, fearing he may soon face homelessness if the situation persists.
