When will TSA lines go back to normal? Travelers may face delays for days or weeks
When will TSA lines go back to normal? Travelers might encounter extended delays lasting several days or weeks
After a prolonged government shutdown, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers have resumed receiving pay on Monday, yet the immediate resolution of long security lines remains uncertain. President Donald Trump issued an executive order Thursday to guarantee TSA employees are compensated during the shutdown, which lasted over 40 days. However, former TSA Administrator John S. Pistole noted that this action alone won’t swiftly alleviate delays at airport checkpoints.
“It’s a temporary fix,” he told NBC News. “The more pertinent question is how many workers actually return to their posts now that paychecks are set to resume Monday.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that callout rates peaked at 12.35% on Friday, impacting over 3,560 TSA personnel. This surge in absenteeism, alongside more than 500 officers who quit during the shutdown, has created staffing challenges. Under Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s direction, TSA has “immediately begun the process of paying its workforce,” with employees expected to receive paychecks as early as Monday, March 30.
Pistole warned that delays could ease within days or weeks if most officers return to duty. However, uncertainty persists due to factors like workers who may already have alternative employment. “How many of them come back after they get this paycheck? Or maybe they already have another full-time job lined up, they’re just waiting to inform TSA after they get their check on Monday,” he explained.
The administrator also highlighted that even with pay restored, ongoing delays might continue. This is partly due to TSA’s usual annual attrition rate of about 7%, combined with the uncertainty surrounding returning staff. Travelers are advised to consider alternatives such as driving, rail, or bus travel to avoid potential four-hour waits at airports like Bush International in Houston.
About the Authors
Mirna Alsharif is a breaking news reporter for NBC News. Jay Blackman is an NBC News producer covering transportation, space, medical, and consumer topics.
