The partial government shutdown is rolling on, with no sign of a resolution ahead, and travelers are among of those suffering for it. As seen in the tweet below from ABC’s World News Tonight (full story here), security lines at American airports are getting longer and longer as unpaid TSA workers call out sick. Security lines and even terminals in Houston’s case are being temporarily shut down, backing things up further. As a result, if you’re departing from a major American airport in the coming days or weeks, make sure to show up extra early—even “three hours early” at some major airports. Check your airport’s information page or Twitter handle (or simply Google it) to see what’s recommended, or better yet just show up early to be safe.
Also: Consider getting CLEAR if you don’t have it (and if the airport/terminal offers it). As I wrote here, it can save you a lot of time. CLEAR also offers a free promotional period.
LONG AIRPORT LINES: Now in its 24th day, the impact of the federal government shutdown is becoming more clear at America’s airports, with twice the normal number of TSA screeners calling out sick. @SteveOsunsami reports. https://t.co/JurUsBNR95 pic.twitter.com/UZ1UUc0s1U
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) January 15, 2019
Related: How the Government Shutdown Is Affecting Global Entry Interview Appointments
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TSA agents aren’t the only ones. I’m an air traffic controller. We are required to be at work each day as well, without pay. Sure, we’ll get back pay but that doesn’t help with our daily cash flow now. Many of the controllers received pay last Friday with a $o.oo payment. That is just an insult! I feel very under appreciated and know that many people don’t even know that we are in the same boat as the TSA agents, doing a very critical and demanding job. Frustrating!
Hey Joe,
Thanks for the reminder. That sucks and the controllers are under appreciated which is a shame because you have the most important job. Thank you showing up to work and I was happy to see Canada sent you all pizzas.
To:you Details
Let’s see I can’t pass thru TSA, otherwise loosely known as airport security with a bottle of water but I can breach the border with God only knows what stuffed in my backpack.
Build the wall and help keep America safe. Government shutdown solved.
Seems simple but then politics before the safety and good of America sadly seems to win.