Passengers Call for TSA Pay Amid Atlanta Airport Delays

Sat Mar 21 2026 19:47:03 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

With TSA officers working without pay during a government shutdown, travelers at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport are advocating for urgent funding to alleviate long security lines.

At Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, passengers are united in a common request for the urgent payment of TSA employees amid ongoing delays due to a government shutdown. Many travelers report arriving hours early to avoid potential missed flights as wait times soar. The situation escalated with President Trump's warning to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to airport security unless Democrats support TSA funding. With current funding stalled, TSA staff continue to work unpaid, significantly impacting morale and leading to increased absenteeism among personnel.

ATLANTA (AP) — As frustration mounts among travelers at Atlanta's airport, a unified call emerges: it's time to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees.

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the busiest globally, is experiencing significant TSA checkpoint delays following a government shutdown that has left many TSA employees unpaid.

Increased wait times have parked many anxious passengers at the airport hours ahead of their flights, fearing potential delays. Christian Childress, a private flight attendant, commented on the situation, stating, “Issue No. 1 should be paying the people who need to get paid and keeping our air travel system secure.”

With Congress deadlocked over funding, passengers are feeling the direct impact in long lines, often waiting upwards of 90 minutes during peak hours.

The latest funding bill, which aimed to support the TSA, failed to advance in the Senate due to party disagreements concerning immigration enforcement. In response, President Trump threatened to involve federal immigration officers in airport security operations if a deal isn't reached.

As the shutdown continues, TSA officers remain a critical, yet unpaid, workforce, leading to rising absenteeism and low morale. Union leaders have pointed out that the financial strain on employees is intensifying daily, having already experienced similar issues during previous shutdowns.

Travelers like Tyrone Williams express impatience with the ongoing political brinkmanship, urging an end to the shutdown. Meanwhile, airport lines fluctuate significantly, with staffing issues triggering temporary checkpoint closures.

Amid the pressure, many passengers, including those at Hartsfield-Jackson, are vocal in their gratitude for TSA officers still on the job, demonstrating solidarity during these challenging times.