When will TSA lines go back to normal? Travelers may face delays for days or weeks
When will TSA lines go back to normal? Travelers may face delays for days or weeks
TSA Pay Resumes After Government Shutdown
Transportation Security Administration officers, who endured a 40-day pay freeze during the partial government shutdown, will receive wages again starting Monday. President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Thursday to guarantee their compensation, ending a prolonged period of unpaid work. However, experts suggest this action alone may not swiftly alleviate the congestion at airport security checkpoints.
“It’s a temporary fix,” said former TSA Administrator John S. Pistole, noting the more critical issue lies in how many staff will return to duty once paychecks restart.
Staffing Shortages Impact Travel
The shutdown led to over 500 officers resigning, while thousands more missed work due to financial strain. By Friday, the callout rate hit 12.35%, affecting more than 3,560 employees, according to a DHS spokesperson. This staffing gap has caused flight cancellations, prolonged security waits, and heightened unpredictability for air travel.
“How many of them come back after they get this paycheck? Or maybe they already have another full-time job lined up, they’re just waiting to inform TSA after they get their check on Monday,” Pistole added, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding staff retention.
Uncertainty Lingers Beyond Pay Resumption
Despite the resumption of payments, Pistole warned that delays could persist. He mentioned that the agency’s usual annual attrition rate of around 7% combined with the current uncertainty might keep wait times elevated. Travelers are advised to consider alternative transportation methods, such as driving or trains, to avoid extended delays at terminals like Houston’s Bush International Airport.
Mirna Alsharif, a breaking news reporter for NBC News, and Jay Blackman, an NBC News producer covering transportation, space, medical, and consumer issues, contributed to this report.
