TSA Wait Times Expected To Increase Due To Democrat-Led Shutdown

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week” that TSA checkpoint wait times are expected to increase significantly if the partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security continues.

Duffy addressed recent reports showing that more than 10 percent of TSA officers did not report for duty on Monday and Wednesday of the previous week. He also noted that approximately 400 TSA officers have resigned since the funding lapse began.

When asked about the potential trajectory of the situation, Duffy explained that the upcoming payroll date represented a critical point.

“So, I think, as we look forward to Friday, that’s when the next paycheck should come. And if this — if this Homeland Security funding isn’t resolved, I think you’re going to see more TSA agents, as we come to Thursday, Friday, Saturday of next week, they’re going to quit or they’re not going to show up,” he said.

“A lot of the starting salaries at TSA, they’re right around $50,000. So, if you live in, you know, one of the big cities of America, L.A. or New York or Miami, it’s hard for these individuals already to make their ends meet. But without getting paychecks, it’s even that much more challenging. And so, they’re going to take other jobs to put food on the table and pay the rent. So, I do think it’s going to get much worse.”

Duffy connected the staffing challenges to pressure on Congress to reach an agreement. “And as it gets worse, I think that puts pressure on the Congress to come to a resolution. Democrats have to say, you know what, we’re not going to defund this. We’re going to actually work together, have some common sense reform that the president will work with us on. And, you know, let’s get America working again.”

He also a message directed at travelers. “And the last thing you want as you travel is to deal with political fights at the airport. Let that stay in Congress, but don’t extract pain out of me and my family as I’m trying to just go to Florida and get some sun on my bones during spring break with my kids.”

The current partial shutdown has classified TSA officers as essential personnel, which requires them to continue performing screening duties without receiving regular paychecks.

Footage from various airports indicate that staffing shortages have already resulted in longer security lines, with some locations experiencing absence rates approaching 40 percent on peak days. Passenger volumes remain high due to spring break travel, which has further strained available resources.

TSA maintains that all screening procedures continue to meet safety standards, but reduced staffing levels naturally slow the processing of travelers.

Travelers are advised to plan for additional time at security checkpoints and to monitor updates from both TSA and their airlines.