Overview
- Roughly 50,000 TSA officers have been working without pay since Feb. 14, and officials caution disruptions could worsen next week when another paycheck is missed.
- Nationwide unscheduled absences recently hit about 10%, with far higher single‑day rates reported at Houston Hobby (40.8%), New Orleans (35.8%), Atlanta (34.6%) and around 30% at New York JFK.
- Acting deputy TSA administrator Adam Stahl and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that sustained staffing shortfalls could force closures, particularly at smaller airports.
- Operational impacts include hours‑long lines, reduced screening lanes and temporary checkpoint closures, including the full shutdown of the Terminal D checkpoint at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental and multiple closures in Philadelphia.
- DHS says roughly 300–366 TSA officers have resigned since the lapse began, while airports and local businesses deploy stopgap aid and customer‑service measures as industry groups press Congress for pay protections or restored funding.