Americans traveling during the holidays could face longer wait times at airports if a partial government shutdown happens, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) warned on Thursday. Congress and the Biden administration have until midnight on Friday to reach a spending agreement to avoid the shutdown. If no agreement is made, non-essential government employees will stay home, while essential workers continue working without pay.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske highlighted that most TSA employees are deemed essential and would continue to staff airport security. In a post on X, Pekoske stated that 59,000 of the TSA’s 62,000 employees would work during a shutdown. However, he cautioned that a prolonged shutdown could disrupt airport operations. “We expect to screen 40 million passengers over the holidays and through January 2,” Pekoske wrote. “While our personnel are prepared to handle high volumes of travelers and ensure safe travel, please be aware that an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports.”
This period is anticipated to be one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, given the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The American Automobile Association (AAA) forecasts record-breaking travel numbers for late December and early January, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. According to AAA’s 2024 Year-End Travel Forecast, an estimated 119.33 million Americans will travel during the holiday season.
The projection includes 107 million travelers by car, 7.85 million by air, and 4.47 million using other modes of transportation. These numbers slightly exceed the 2019 record of 119.3 million travelers, which saw 108 million car travelers, 7.33 million air travelers, and 3.89 million travelers using other means. The 2024 forecast represents a 2.8% increase from 2023, with a 2.4% rise in car travelers, a 4.7% increase in air travelers, and a 9.7% jump in other transportation modes.
With such high travel volumes, any disruption caused by a government shutdown could lead to significant delays, especially at airports. Essential TSA personnel working without pay during a shutdown may face reduced morale and staffing challenges, further impacting the efficiency of security screening.
Travelers are advised to plan ahead, arrive at airports early, and stay informed about potential delays. As Congress and the Biden administration face the deadline, the possibility of a shutdown looms large, with millions of holiday travelers potentially caught in the fallout.