Government Shutdown and TSA: What Travelers Need to Know in 2026

The Department of Homeland Security entered a partial shutdown on February 14, 2026, after Congress failed to agree on a funding package. More than a month later, the shutdown is still ongoing and its effects on air travel are getting worse by the week.

If you have a flight coming up, here is everything you need to know about how the shutdown is affecting TSA, airport security lines, and programs like Global Entry, plus what you can do to minimize disruption.

What Happens to TSA During a Government Shutdown

TSA is part of the Department of Homeland Security. When DHS funding lapses, approximately <strong>61,000 TSA employees</strong> are classified as essential and must continue reporting to work. The catch: they do not get paid until Congress passes a funding bill.

TSA officers missed their first paycheck on March 14, 2026. This follows a pattern from previous shutdowns. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, which lasted 35 days, TSA workers went without pay for over a month.

The result is predictable. When people are asked to work without pay, some stop showing up. Unscheduled absences (callouts) have <strong>more than doubled</strong> since the shutdown began, rising from roughly 2% to an average of 6% nationwide. At some airports the numbers are far worse: Houston Hobby hit 50% callout rates, JFK reached 76% during a blizzard, and Newark hit 53%.

More than <strong>300 TSA officers have quit</strong> the agency since the shutdown started, further reducing the workforce available to screen passengers.

How It Affects Your Airport Experience

<strong>Longer security lines.</strong> With fewer TSA officers on duty, airports are consolidating checkpoints and reducing the number of open screening lanes. Hours-long waits have been reported at major airports including Atlanta, Houston, New Orleans, Charlotte, JFK, and Newark.

<strong>Arrival recommendations have changed.</strong> Many airports are now advising passengers to arrive <strong>3 hours before domestic flights</strong> and <strong>4 hours before international flights</strong>, up from the usual 2 and 3 hours respectively.

<strong>Global Entry disruptions.</strong> The shutdown forced DHS to halt Global Entry arrival processing on February 22. It partially restarted on March 11, but enrollment interviews for new applicants remain suspended at many locations.

<strong>Cascading flight delays.</strong> When passengers are stuck in long security lines, they miss flights. Airlines delay departures waiting for passengers, which creates ripple effects across the system. The 2025 shutdown caused an estimated <strong>9,000 flight delays and cancellations</strong> and roughly $6 billion in travel industry losses.

<strong>Spring break compounds the problem.</strong> The shutdown coincides with one of the busiest travel periods of the year, putting additional pressure on an already strained system.

What Still Works During the Shutdown

Not everything is disrupted. Several programs and services continue to operate normally:

<strong>TSA PreCheck lanes are still open.</strong> If you already have PreCheck, your expedited screening benefits continue. PreCheck lanes typically have shorter waits than standard lanes, and the gap is even wider during the shutdown.

<strong>CLEAR is still operating.</strong> CLEAR is a private company, not a government agency, so it is unaffected by the shutdown. CLEAR members can still use biometric verification to skip the ID-check line at participating airports.

<strong>Airlines are still flying.</strong> Air traffic controllers (FAA employees) are also classified as essential and continue working, though they too are unpaid. Flights are operating on their normal schedules, though delays from security congestion are increasingly common.

<strong>Mobile Passport is still available.</strong> If you are returning from an international trip, the Mobile Passport app still works at participating airports.

What You Can Do Right Now

<strong>1. Check wait times before you leave.</strong> Use <a href="/">FlightQueue</a> to check real-time security wait times at your airport. Knowing whether lines are 15 minutes or 90 minutes lets you plan your arrival accordingly instead of guessing.

<strong>2. Arrive much earlier than usual.</strong> Add at least an extra hour to your normal arrival time. If you are flying from one of the hardest-hit airports (Atlanta, Houston, JFK, Newark, Charlotte, New Orleans), consider arriving even earlier.

<strong>3. Enroll in TSA PreCheck if you have not already.</strong> At $78 for five years, PreCheck is the most cost-effective way to reduce your security wait time. The enrollment process takes about 10 minutes at an application center. Note that PreCheck enrollment centers are still operating during the shutdown.

<strong>4. Consider CLEAR.</strong> If you fly frequently out of a busy airport, CLEAR ($209/year) lets you bypass the document-check line entirely using biometric verification. Because CLEAR is privately operated, it is fully functional during the shutdown. <a href="/blog/clear-touchless-id-guide">Read our full CLEAR guide</a>.

<strong>5. Pack smart.</strong> Avoid anything that might trigger a bag check. Follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule strictly, remove prohibited items, and keep electronics near the top of your bag. With fewer TSA officers available, a flagged bag means a longer wait for manual inspection.

<strong>6. Monitor your flight status.</strong> Security congestion can cause cascading departure delays. Use <a href="/">FlightQueue</a> to track your flight in real time so you know immediately if your departure time changes.

<strong>7. Consider alternative airports.</strong> Smaller regional airports tend to have shorter lines than major hubs during the shutdown. If you have the flexibility, flying out of a secondary airport could save you significant time.

A Brief History of Shutdowns and Air Travel

This is not the first time a government shutdown has disrupted air travel, and unfortunately it probably will not be the last.

<strong>2018-2019 (35 days):</strong> The longest government shutdown in US history. TSA callout rates tripled, reaching 10% nationally. Security wait times at major airports exceeded two hours. The shutdown ultimately ended after air traffic controllers warned of a "growing safety concern" and LaGuardia Airport briefly halted arrivals due to staffing shortages.

<strong>2025:</strong> A shorter DHS shutdown caused 9,000 flight delays and cancellations and an estimated $6 billion in losses across the travel industry.

<strong>2026 (ongoing):</strong> The current shutdown began on February 14 and has already exceeded 30 days. With spring break travel amplifying passenger volumes, the impact on security wait times is more severe than previous shutdowns at this stage.

The pattern is consistent: TSA officers are required to work without pay, callout rates rise, lines get longer, and travelers bear the consequences. Programs like PreCheck, CLEAR, and real-time wait time tools become significantly more valuable during these periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

<strong>Is it safe to fly during a government shutdown?</strong> Yes. TSA screening continues, just with fewer officers. Security standards are not lowered. The main impact is longer wait times, not reduced safety. Air traffic control also continues to operate.

<strong>Will my TSA PreCheck still work?</strong> Yes. PreCheck lanes remain open during the shutdown. If anything, PreCheck becomes more valuable because the difference in wait times between PreCheck and standard lanes tends to widen during shutdowns.

<strong>Can I still apply for Global Entry?</strong> You can submit an application online, but in-person interviews at enrollment centers may be suspended or delayed during the shutdown. Existing Global Entry members can still use their benefits, though arrival processing was briefly halted in February 2026 before being partially restored.

<strong>Should I cancel my trip?</strong> In most cases, no. The shutdown makes airport security more time-consuming but does not prevent travel. Arriving earlier and using tools like <a href="/">FlightQueue</a> to monitor wait times can help you navigate the disruption. If you are concerned about a specific airport, check its current wait times before making a decision.

<strong>How long will the shutdown last?</strong> There is no way to predict when Congress will reach a funding agreement. Past shutdowns have lasted anywhere from a few hours to 35 days. The current shutdown has been ongoing since February 14, 2026.