WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — Security lines at major U.S. airports began to improve on Monday after weeks of delays linked to a partial government shutdown. Most Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers began receiving pay for the first time in more than a month after President Donald Trump signed an executive order.
The partial federal government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security had exceeded 40 days. Over 500 TSA agents quit their jobs during the shutdown after going without a paycheck. The partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown occurred during the spring break travel period.
Passengers endured security lines of up to four or five hours at some U.S. airports in recent weeks. LaGuardia Airport reported security wait times of up to 60 minutes during the shutdown period, while Newark Liberty International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport reported security wait times of up to 45 minutes at some terminals.
Former TSA officer Caleb Harmon-Marshall wrote, "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this TSA fiasco isn't over just yet; it's actually about to get worse." Aaron Barker, President of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 554 and TSA officer, said, "I do think that there's going to be a mass exodus of officers."
Security lines at Dallas-Fort Worth, William P. Hobby, George Bush Intercontinental, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta airports dropped to under 10 minutes. The Department of Homeland Security remained shut down during a two-week congressional recess despite an executive order to pay TSA agents.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said, "The Democrat shutdown has created chaos for American travelers and TSA employees alike," and "Our great ICE officers are always ready to step in and help the American people when needed." Unions estimate it could take about a week or so for more TSA officers to return to work due to pay disruptions.