Getting to the Airport 3 Hours Early Is No Guarantee You'll Make Your Flight, as TSA Crisis Worsens
Airfind news item
By Matt Novak
Published on March 20, 2026.
The partial government shutdown has forced TSA officers to work for free, with about 10% of workers now calling out. This has led to increased airport security waiting times, with some passengers still missing their flights. The callout rate for TSA workers in Atlanta reached nearly 40%, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston saw three-hour wait times this week. Meanwhile, callout rates for TSA officers at Houston's William P. Hobby Airport hit 41%, New York's John F. Kennedy Airport hit 30%, and Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans hit 36%. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that if this continues, some small airports may have to shut down. The shutdown and ICE’s actions have also impacted the energy industry, affecting the Middle East and gas facilities.
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