As the government shutdown pushes into its third week, the whispers of federal employees striking are growing louder, with particular concern centered on TSA agents. While it’s crucial to clarify that TSA officers, deemed “essential,” are legally prohibited from striking, the mounting pressure of working without pay can manifest in a similarly disruptive way: widespread sick outs. This isn’t just speculation; historical patterns and current morale indicators suggest this could become a critical issue for air travel.
The core problem is simple: staffing shortages.
- TSA Checkpoints Under Siege: If significant numbers of TSA officers call in sick in protest or due to financial strain, the direct consequence will be dramatically longer security lines at airports nationwide. Fewer agents mean fewer lanes open and slower processing times, leading to massive bottlenecks and passenger frustration.
- Air Traffic Control Strain: Similarly, air traffic controllers, also working without pay, face intense pressure. A sick out among ATC personnel would directly result in increased flight delays and cancellations as air traffic management scales back operations to ensure safety with fewer staff. The recent incident at Burbank Airport, attributed to a controller shortage, serves as a stark precursor to broader issues.
History has shown us this trajectory. During the prolonged 2018-2019 shutdown, “ick outs among both TSA and ATC staff escalated significantly towards the end, causing widespread flight disruptions and highlighting the fragility of our air travel system when essential personnel are pushed to their limits.
As the shutdown continues, the economic costs mount, not just from delayed flights and lost productivity for travelers and businesses, but also from the direct financial hardship imposed on these crucial federal workers. The potential for widespread sick outs is not merely a rumor; it’s a predictable consequence of a prolonged shutdown, threatening to bring severe delays and chaos to an already strained air travel system.
Here is to hoping this can be resolved quickly and painlessly for all involved.