March 13, 2026 — Major U.S. airports nationwide The TSA staffing crisis amid DHS shutdown has doubled unscheduled absences among officers and prompted more than 300 quits since February 14, resulting in security lines up to four hours long during peak spring break travel.
A partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown that began on February 14 has left TSA screeners working without pay, spiking absences from a pre-shutdown average of 2% to 6% nationwide. Peaks reached 9% on February 23, 53% at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport on March 8, and 77% at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport during a blizzard.https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Travel/tsa-officer-callouts-spike-amid-partial-government-shutdown/story?id=130963401 TSA recorded 305 employee separations between February 14 and March 9.
Impact on Security Lines
The TSA staffing crisis amid DHS shutdown has caused severe delays at key airports. Houston’s Hobby Airport saw waits exceed three hours, prompting advice to arrive four to five hours early.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/08/tsa-airport-security-line-delays-in-government-shutdown.html Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International airports recommended three hours early, with some passengers missing flights.https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/10/us/tsa-shutdown-lines Other affected sites include JFK, Newark Liberty, Pittsburgh International, Charlotte Douglas, and George Bush Intercontinental in Houston.
US airlines are grappling with massive disruptions due to the ongoing DHS shutdown, as noted in the TSA staffing crisis amid DHS shutdown. TSA reports show absences doubling and over 300 screeners quitting after weeks without pay, resulting in security lines stretching up to 4 hours at airports during peak spring break travel.
Worker and Official Reactions
TSA officer Deondre White described the strain:
“My only message [to government officials] is just to believe that we are hurting. We are trying to do the best we can, but this is honestly an unfortunate situation.”
Former TSA Administrator John Pistole warned of morale hits and recruitment challenges, citing nearly 1,100 losses after the 2025 shutdown.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tsa-absences-double-shutdown-300-quit-airport-security-lines
Airlines for America CEO Nick Calio warned of spiraling delays and missed flights, urging Congress to act. A DHS spokesperson stated:
“TSA employees were being forced to work without pay for the THIRD time in nearly six months… It’s time for Democrats to end these political games, pay our TSA officers, and re-open DHS.”
Rep. Mark Alford posted on X: “⚠️300+ TSA OFFICERS HAVE QUIT? … Fund DHS—now!” https://x.com/RepMarkAlford/status/2032126438984290436
The TSA staffing crisis amid DHS shutdown ties into broader aviation concerns like pilot shortages exacerbated by new FAA rules. For related coverage, see Aeronautics Online sitemap.
