Trending Now - Travel Disruptions Rise Amid TSA and ICE Staffing Issues

WHO:

President Trump, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Doug Yakel (SFO spokesperson), Sheldon Jacobson (aviation security expert), Johnny Jones (TSA union secretary-treasurer), Geoff Freeman (U.S. Travel Association president), Chuck Schumer (Senate Minority Leader).

American Federation of Government Employees, Airlines for America, American Association of Airport Executives.

WHAT:

More than 300 TSA employees quit the agency during the DHS shutdown.

TSA recorded 305 “employee separations” from February 14th, 2026, through March 6th, 2026.

50,000 TSA employees required to work without pay since February 14th, 2026.

TSA frontline officer call-out rates increased from 2% to 6% since February 14th, 2026.

Passengers at Houston’s Hobby Airport faced 3.5 hours of delays on March 6th, 2026.

New Orleans’ airport averaged a 14% call-out rate during the shutdown.

53% of officers at Hobby Airport called out on March 6th, 2026.

WHERE:

San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Kansas City International Airport, Atlantic City International Airport, Orlando Sanford International Airport, Houston’s Hobby Airport, New Orleans’ Louis Armstrong International Airport.

WHEN:

DHS shutdown began on February 14th, 2026.

Shutdown has lasted nearly one month as of March 11th, 2026.

Longest previous government shutdown lasted 43 days in 2025.

WHY:

Democrats in Congress refused to fund the DHS over objections to immigration enforcement tactics.

DHS spokesperson stated TSA employees were forced to work without pay for the third time in nearly six months.

HOW:

TSA’s screening partnership program allows airports to use private security companies under TSA oversight.

TSA employees are required to report for duty during shutdowns despite not being paid.

(UPDATED March 11, 2026 11:11 UTC)

In a significant development, more than 300 TSA employees have quit during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown, which began on February 14, and has now lasted nearly a month. During this period, TSA has recorded 305 employee separations, while 50,000 employees have been required to work without pay, leading to increased call-out rates and significant delays for travelers at airports like Houston's Hobby Airport, where 53% of officers called out on March 6. The shutdown has been fueled by a standoff in Congress over funding related to immigration enforcement tactics, forcing TSA employees to work without pay for the third time in six months.