Trending Now - TSA Staffing Issues Lead to Long Security Lines at Airports

WHO:

President Trump, Cameron Cochems (union steward and lead TSA officer), Eric Rosen (director of travel content for The Points Guy), Adam Stahl (acting deputy TSA administrator), Tyler Hosford (security director at International SOS), John Pistole (former TSA administrator), Keith Jeffries (former federal security director at Los Angeles International Airport).

American Federation of Government Employees (union representing TSA workers), Democrats in Congress, TSA (Transportation Security Administration), Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

WHAT:

More than 40% of TSA officers called out of work on March 17th, 2026, at William P. Hobby Airport in Texas.

Nearly 36% of TSA officers called out at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

More than 34% of TSA officers called out at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

TSA agents have missed their first full paycheck on March 13th, 2026.

At least 366 TSA agents have quit during the shutdown.

TSA is not actively managing its sites during the shutdown, leading to potentially inaccurate wait times on the MyTSA mobile app.

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

TSA acting deputy administrator Adam Stahl warned that airports may need to shut down if call-out rates increase.

WHERE:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, William P. Hobby Airport (Houston, Texas), Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport.

WHEN:

The partial government shutdown began on February 14th, 2026.

TSA officers called out on March 17th, 2026.

TSA agents missed their first full paycheck on March 13th, 2026.

Three TSA checkpoints closed on March 18th, 2026.

WHY:

The partial government shutdown is due to a funding dispute affecting the Department of Homeland Security, which includes TSA.

Unpaid TSA workers face financial strain, leading to increased call-out rates.

HOW:

Travelers are advised to check airport websites and social media for real-time updates on wait times.

TSA has a National Deployment Force of screeners that has been fully depleted.

Airports may prioritize staffing from smaller airports to larger ones to maintain operations.

(UPDATED March 19, 2026 19:22 UTC)

Today, President Trump and several key figures, including TSA officials and union representatives, addressed the ongoing partial government shutdown that began on February 14, which has severely impacted airport operations. On March 17, over 40% of TSA officers were absent from work at William P. Hobby Airport in Texas, with significant call-out rates also reported at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, leading to closed checkpoints and potential airport shutdowns. As TSA agents missed their first full paycheck on March 13, the financial strain has prompted at least 366 TSA agents to quit, raising concerns about accurate wait times and overall airport security management.