With spring break just two weeks away for many schools across the Northeast, a continuing partial government shutdown is beginning to take a visible toll on air travel—raising concerns about long security lines and potential disruptions at smaller airports.
The shutdown has now stretched to 30 days, and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents missed their first full paycheck last Friday. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the impact on staffing is already significant: roughly 300 TSA workers have resigned, and employee callouts have doubled.
Travelers are feeling the effects. At major airports, including LaGuardia, passengers are reporting unusually long wait times at security checkpoints.
“I’ve never seen anything like this at LaGuardia, especially at this small terminal,” said traveler Ashan Lindo.
The staffing shortages have prompted warnings from TSA leadership. The agency’s acting deputy administrator said in a recent interview with Fox News that TSA is “fully stretched,” adding that some smaller airports could be at risk of shutting down if conditions worsen.
So far, operations at Long Island MacArthur Airport remain steady. Airport Commissioner Rob Schneider said security checkpoints are functioning efficiently and praised TSA staff for their continued dedication despite the circumstances.
Still, concerns are growing as the busy spring break travel period approaches. Travel experts say the combination of increased passenger volume and reduced staffing could create even longer delays.
“As we approach spring break here in the Northeast, it’s going to get busier,” said travel agent Matthew Kondrup.
Kondrup noted that while many clients are keeping their travel plans, others are reconsidering.
“We do have a lot of people who are booked and planning to go away—myself included,” Kondrup said. “But at the same time, I have people saying, ‘Let’s pivot, maybe stay local, and wait for things to blow over a little bit.’”
Click the links below for real-time security wait times for JFK and LaGuardia airports.