The partial government shutdown began on Feb. 14 after Congress failed to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security
Credit: Megan Varner/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Travelers faced up to three-hour wait times at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as the government shutdown continues
- “I’m 2 and a half hours early and I’m concerned I’m not going to make my flight,” a frequent traveler said
- The partial shutdown began on Feb. 14 after Congress failed to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security
Airline travelers are dealing with up to three-hour wait times in Atlanta amid the government shutdown.
As airport security is crippled by the partial government shutdown, which is now in its second month, the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is advising passengers to “allow at least 2 hours or more for domestic flights and 4 hours or more for international screenings.”
Recent photos and videos shared on social media show lines and crowds weaving throughout the airport, with TSA lines stretching all the way into the baggage claim area.
“The Atlanta TSA line has now stretched to a stunning 153 minute-wait-time… AT 6AM IN THE MORNING,” one user wrote on X alongside a video of the lines. “The line is WRAPPING AROUND BAGGAGE CLAIM!!! THIS IS PURE INSANITY!!!!!!”
Credit: Megan Varner/Getty
The partial government shutdown began on Feb. 14, one day after Congress failed to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Since then, more than 300 TSA agents have quit, and callout rates have reached record highs as many are working without pay.
"This is absolutely insane. I have been flying 23 years since I moved to Georgia,” Taisheree Musette, who flies weekly from Atlanta, told Fox 5 Atlanta. “I have never seen this [long of a security line] in my life and I fly every weekend. This is ridiculous. I'm 2 and a half hours early and I'm concerned I'm not going to make my flight.”
With the airport already seeing more traffic because of spring break, some travelers acknowledged the difficulty that TSA workers are going through while working without a paycheck.
"Pay these guys, and I’m pretty sure they will do their job," Stevilus Nelson told the outlet. "Atlanta is the biggest airport in the country so it's important we get paid and get moving."
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“People have families,” another traveler added. “We have expenses, living, things we need to take care of and, if you aren’t being paid, you can't expect people to come to work."
Credit: Megan Varner/Getty
On Sunday, March 22, President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that ICE agents “will be going to airports to help” TSA employees amid the shutdown, going on to blame the shutdown and subsequent lack of funding on Democratic politicians.
“This is about going [and] helping TSA do their mission, and get the American public through that airport as quick as they can, while adhering to all the security guidelines and the protocols,” border czar Tom Homan explained to CNN. “We’re simply there to help TSA do their job in areas that don’t need their specialized expertise, such as screening through the X-ray machine.”
Some airports have also started smaller-scale initiatives to bring in additional support for the unpaid federal workers. The Denver International Airport (DEN) announced it is seeking grocery store and gas gift card donations to support the employees who continue to work without pay.
“Once again, DEN’s federal employees are working tirelessly to ensure our airport operates efficiently and safely without getting paid,” DEN CEO Phil Washington said in a March 11 press release. “TSA employees just missed their first paycheck, and as we enter a busy spring break travel period, we want to do what we can to ease the stress of this moment.”
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