In a significant turn of events, a record number of Transportation Security Administration (T.S.A.) employees called out on Friday, causing widespread disruptions at airports across the United States. This mass absence of T.S.A. personnel has led to long security lines, delayed flights, and frustrated travelers. President Trump signed a memo late Friday ordering the Department of Homeland Security to restore pay to airport screeners, aiming to alleviate the situation.
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According to The New York Times, the absence rate among T.S.A. employees on Friday was nearly double the average rate, with over 5,000 workers calling out. This surge in call-outs comes amidst the ongoing government shutdown, which has left many federal employees working without pay. The situation has raised concerns about the potential impact on national security and air travel safety.
CNBC reported that travelers faced extensive wait times at various airports, with some passengers waiting for hours to clear security checkpoints. The situation was particularly dire at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where officials warned travelers to arrive four hours early due to security lines extending out of the airport doors.
Yahoo Finance highlighted the challenges faced by Americans during what they described as a “nightmare week of travel,” emphasizing that the situation is unlikely to improve in the near future. The disruptions caused by the high number of T.S.A. call-outs have underscored the strain on the aviation industry and the need for a resolution to the government shutdown.
As the government seeks to address the escalating crisis at airports, the impact of the T.S.A. call-outs on travelers, airlines, and airport operations remains a pressing concern. The restoration of pay to T.S.A. employees is a crucial step in mitigating the disruptions and ensuring the security and efficiency of air travel in the United States.
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Reference:
– The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/28/us/tsa-employees-airports-wait-times.html
– CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/28/tsa-wait-times-track-security-lines-by-airport-in-the-us.html
– Yahoo Finance: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/americans-just-endured-nightmare-week-190000870.html
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