Long security lines form at airports as TSA agents miss first full paycheck amid DHS standoff
Extended security queues stretch through domestic terminal at Atlanta airport
Sunday saw long lines forming at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, disrupting the usual flow of domestic travelers. The delays, which have persisted for days, are linked to a financial stalemate involving the Department of Homeland Security. TSA agents, unable to receive their first full paycheck since the funding impasse began, continue working without full compensation.
Travelers face long waits amid funding crisis
At Atlanta’s busiest airport, parallel lines of passengers moved slowly through security checkpoints. Digital displays indicated wait times ranging from four minutes for TSA PreCheck users to over an hour at the main terminal. While many remained patient, some expressed frustration over the unanticipated delays.
“I know we have to be secure, and I just appreciate those who are still with TSA, remaining on the job,” said Laronda Monteiro, an Atlanta resident who arrived three hours early for her flight to New Orleans. “I can wait for the safety and security.”
Other travelers, like Morgan Young, shared their experiences. Young, returning to Washington, noted the strain of the disruptions. “It’s stressful, honestly,” she remarked. “I feel like Atlanta airport runs as smooth as possible, but it is stressful for sure. And more stressful for the people who aren’t getting paid and are at work.”
Impact on daily operations and personal struggles
For Ezer Gill, the delays were a personal inconvenience. He waited through security to make it home to Fort Lauderdale, describing the situation as a reflection of broader government gridlock. “Air travel is an essential part of how our country operates, and if we can’t get to where we need to go, it’s going to affect a lot of people,” Gill explained. “It’s affecting me and a lot of the other people, I’ve heard.”
TSA agents, classified as essential workers, have been operating without full pay since the funding deadline passed on February 13. They received a partial paycheck during the shutdown but missed their first full payment on Friday. Over 300 employees have left the agency since February, according to internal reports.
Similar disruptions reported across multiple airports
Extended wait times were not unique to Atlanta. Similar scenes unfolded at airports in Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, Austin, and Chicago. Online videos highlighted the chaos, with one traveler at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport posting a TikTok clip showing a winding queue at 2 a.m. They advised others to arrive hours early, yet still missed their 2:30 a.m. flight.
Reports from Austin’s airport indicated that lines were “very long” in the early hours but eased later Sunday. In Chicago, a video posted from O’Hare International Airport depicted a security line looping back on itself multiple times. The user noted that it took approximately two hours to clear the checkpoint.
TSA addressed the issue on social media, urging lawmakers to resolve the partial shutdown. The agency shared a message on X: “A $0 paycheck for those continuing to serve. Enough is enough. No more playing politics with the lives of Americans.”
A DHS spokesperson did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment on Sunday. Meanwhile, Anthony Riley, 58, who has worked at Syracuse Hancock International Airport during the shutdown, voiced concerns about his financial stability. Riley recalled losing his car during last year’s government shutdown and now fears becoming homeless if the situation persists. “The problem is that my credit rating was wrecked by the last government shutdown,” he told NBC News last week.
