Trending Now - TSA Staffing Shortages May Lead to Airport Shutdowns

WHO:

Adam Stahl, Acting Deputy TSA Administrator

TSA (Transportation Security Administration)

Department of Homeland Security

WHAT:

TSA officers are experiencing a surge in sick calls, leading to long security lines at airports.

More than 10% of TSA officers nationwide called out sick on March 16th, 2026, which is five times more than a typical day.

In Atlanta, over 37% of TSA officers called out sick on March 16th, 2026.

Wait times exceeded two hours at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on March 17th, 2026, and were at least 103 minutes at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.

Three of the six checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport were closed on March 18th, 2026.

Hundreds of TSA officers have quit, and the remaining 50,000 officers are working without pay.

WHERE:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta, Georgia

George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, Texas

Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

WHEN:

March 16th, 2026: More than 10% of TSA officers called out sick.

March 17th, 2026: Wait times exceeded two hours at Atlanta airport.

March 18th, 2026: Three checkpoints closed at Philadelphia airport.

WHY:

The surge in sick calls is attributed to TSA officers missing a paycheck due to a month-long partial government shutdown that began in mid-February 2026.

Adam Stahl stated, "This will not get better" without funding from the government.

HOW:

TSA officers are calling out sick at unprecedented rates, leading to the closure of checkpoints and longer wait times at airports.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 13:30 UTC)

Today, TSA officials reported a significant surge in sick calls among their officers, with over 10% of the workforce absent on March 16, which is five times the usual rate. This has resulted in long security lines at major airports, including wait times exceeding two hours at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the closure of three checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport. Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl emphasized that the situation is linked to a month-long partial government shutdown that began in mid-February, leaving many officers without pay and leading to hundreds quitting their jobs.