Overview
- Trump said Thursday he had ordered DHS to pay TSA screeners immediately to relieve airport logjams caused by the shutdown.
- Lines of two to five hours continued at hubs including Houston Bush Intercontinental and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, with airports urging arrivals 2.5 to 4 hours early.
- TSA counted more than 480 resignations since mid-February and an absence rate above 11% nationwide, with some checkpoints missing about 40% of staff.
- ICE officers now verify IDs at many checkpoints to free TSA for screening, though the stopgap does not fix the shortage or calm privacy concerns.
- Airports using TSA’s Screening Partnership Program, such as Sarasota and Punta Gorda, reported normal flows because private contractors are paid outside DHS funds.