TSA Shutdown: Airport Lines Stretch Hours

0:00On March 19, nearly 10% of transportation security administration workers called in sick on Tuesday amid the ongoing partial government. Shut down. This spike happened just days after thousands received their first $0 paycheck due to lapsed funding at the Department of Homeland Security. Major airports nationwide felt the hit right away. At some spots, absences reached nearly 40%, like in Atlanta and New Orleans. New York's John F. Kennedy saw over 30% missing and Houston's William P. Hobbie hit close to 41%. By Wednesday, one security checkpoint stayed shut at Atlanta's main airport and Philadelphia closed several others. Travelers faced lines stretching for hours, some all the way to baggage claim. Frontmine officers have to keep working without pay as accepted employees, leaving many unable to cover rent or groceries. Airlines called the chaos unacceptable and pushed for a quick congressional deal. Hundreds of TSA staff have quit during this shutdown, worsening long-term shortages.

1:04Officials worn smaller airports with just one or two lanes might have to close entirely if call outs keep rising. As spring travel picks up, these funding fights in Washington are backing up checkpoints everywhere, hitting passengers hard.