Another shutdown means more pain for TSA screeners and passengers

Some TSA screeners, who aren’t getting paid because of the partial government shutdown, haven’t been showing up to airports nationwide. That’s caused huge lines and long waits at airports in Houston and New Orleans earlier this week.

Some passengers are arriving at airports three or more hours early, and things could get worse.

TSA agents are considered essential employees, so they have to work without pay during government shutdowns.

Screeners will miss their first full paycheck at the end of this week. Johnny Jones is secretary-treasurer of AFGE Council 100, the union representing TSA employees, and works at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

If some agents end up taking other jobs, “most likely it’s due to a lack of funds,” he said. “You know, child care doesn't take IOUs. Grocery stores don't take IOUs.”

The number of screeners quitting their jobs jumped during the last government shutdown, Jones said. CBS reports that more than 300 TSA workers have left since this shutdown started last month.

If more agents quit, the lines at airports could get even longer, and passengers will need to reevaluate, according to Henry Harteveldt, an airline industry analyst at Atmosphere Research Group.

“If your flight is taking an hour and you’re being told, ‘Get to the airport three hours in advance,’ you’re looking at that and saying, ‘The numbers just don’t add up,’” he said.

After all, sometimes it could just be quicker just to drive.