HOUSTON – Airline CEOs are sounding the alarm, telling Congress the government shutdown is already hitting travelers where it hurts, with TSA officers working without pay and security lines stretching for hours.
“TSA officers just received $0 paychecks. That is simply unacceptable,” the group wrote in a March 15 letter signed by leaders of major U.S. carriers.
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The message is blunt. Fix it now, or expect travel headaches to get worse.
The executives, representing airlines including Southwest, United, Delta and American, say the system is starting to strain under the pressure, especially as spring break travel ramps up. With nationwide events like the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the threat to air travel has a impact in Houston, too.
Airlines are expecting 171 million passengers this season, a record, according to the letter.
At the same time, they warn, staffing issues tied to unpaid federal workers are slowing things down at security checkpoints.
“Wait times of 2, 3 and even 4 hours have been reported,” the CEOs wrote.
Airlines say they are trying to keep things moving by holding flights and rebooking passengers, but they make clear there is only so much they can do without federal workers being paid.
“This problem is solvable, and there are solutions on the table,” the letter states, urging Congress to pass legislation that would guarantee pay for TSA officers, air traffic controllers and other aviation personnel during shutdowns.
What TSA Workers Are Dealing With
TSA officers are considered essential workers, meaning they must report to work even during a shutdown, but they do not get paid until funding is restored.
Most entry level TSA officers earn roughly $37,000 to $60,000 a year, depending on experience and location, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
The financial strain is not theoretical. The U.S. has been here before.
Over the last 15 months, TSA agents have gone unpaid three times, including during the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, lasting 43 days.
Now, many TSA officers are calling out sick.
This past Saturday, 55% of TSA Agents scheduled to work didn’t show up, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
“Houston airport has experienced Unscheduled Absence rates above 30% on at least five days during the shutdown. TSA average callout rate prior to the shutdown was below 2%,” a spokesperson wrote to KPRC 2’s Gage Goulding.
Not a Quick Fix
Even if staffing becomes an issue again, it is not something that can be fixed overnight.
It takes roughly four to six months to train new officers, the TSA said.
That is part of why airline leaders say the stakes are higher than they might appear.
“With spring break travel in full swing, FIFA World Cup 2026 right around the corner and celebrations for America’s 250th birthday throughout the year, the stakes are especially high,” the letter states.
The CEOs also point to public support for a fix, citing polling showing 93% of Americans back paying federal aviation workers during shutdowns.
“It’s past time for the government to make sure that TSA officers … are paid for the job they do,” the letter says.
Until Congress acts, they warn, travelers should be prepared for delays, especially during already busy travel periods.