How would a government shutdown affect travel around the U.S.?
As the possibility of a U.S. government shutdown looms, experts and industry groups are warning of potential disruptions in air travel. While a short shutdown may not have a significant impact, a prolonged impasse could lead to financial losses for businesses and inconvenience for passengers.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) consider most of their employees essential, meaning they would still be required to work even if the government shuts down. This includes airport screeners, air traffic controllers, federal air marshals, safety inspectors, and other key personnel. However, if the shutdown drags on and employees go without pay, there could be a risk of labor shortages.
According to Caleb Harmon-Marshall, a former TSA officer, prolonged shutdowns can lead to employees calling in sick or seeking alternative job opportunities, which can result in longer security lines at airports. During the previous government shutdown that lasted 34 days, around 10% of TSA workers called in sick, causing delays at major airports nationwide.
If Congress fails to reach a deal, the shutdown would commence at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1. While TSA and FAA workers would be entitled to back pay for their work during the shutdown, the overall impact on air travel and the economy could be significant.
$1 billion Hit on the Economy
The U.S. Travel Association has estimated that a government shutdown could cost the economy $1 billion per week. This could result in longer security lines, flight delays, and cancellations, further exacerbating staffing shortages among TSA officers and air traffic controllers.
The U.S. is already facing a shortage of air traffic controllers and has a goal to hire over 2,000 additional controllers by the end of the fiscal year. A shutdown could halt this hiring process, leading to further delays in air traffic control operations.
While train travel may not be significantly impacted by a government shutdown, Amtrak, which receives some federal funding, could face challenges if the shutdown persists. However, the Rail Passengers Association has indicated that Amtrak is financially stable enough to continue operations in the near term.
Passport services, deemed essential, would continue to operate during a government shutdown, ensuring that essential travel documents are still processed.
