When will TSA lines go back to normal? Travelers may face delays for days or weeks

When will TSA lines go back to normal? Travelers may face delays for days or weeks

After a prolonged government shutdown, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers have resumed receiving pay, yet travelers might still encounter extended security delays. The shutdown, which lasted over a month, left many TSA workers without wages, but President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Thursday to restore their salaries. This directive aims to address the financial strain, though it may not immediately resolve the staffing issues at airports.

Former TSA Administrator John S. Pistole noted that the pay restoration is only a short-term solution. “It’s a temporary fix,” he told NBC News. The real challenge lies in determining how many officers will return to their posts once paychecks begin on Monday, March 30. The Department of Homeland Security reported that more than 500 TSA employees quit during the shutdown, while thousands others took unpaid leave due to financial pressures.

“How many of them come back after they get this paycheck? Or maybe they already have another full-time job lined up, they’re just waiting to inform TSA after they get their check on Monday,” Pistole said. This uncertainty, combined with the TSA’s usual annual turnover rate of around 7%, could prolong delays even after salaries are reinstated.

During the shutdown, callout rates peaked at 12.35%, affecting over 3,560 staff members, according to a DHS spokesperson. These staffing shortages have led to disrupted flights, lengthy security lines, and growing concerns for air travel reliability. Pistole suggested that if most officers return to duty, wait times might improve within days or weeks. However, he warned that the outcome hinges on how many workers actually show up.

Travelers are advised to consider alternative travel methods like driving, rail, or bus until the situation stabilizes. “I think many will and are looking at those options to say, ‘Is that more reliable?’” Pistole remarked. “Because the last thing I want to do is arrive at Bush International Airport in Houston and wait four hours.”

Mirna Alsharif, a breaking news reporter for NBC News, and Jay Blackman, an NBC News producer covering transportation, medical, and consumer topics, contributed to this report.