With U.S. airports grappling with the ramifications of the DHS shutdown and TSA officers working without pay, some European nations are starting to caution potential visitors to the U.S.
The UK, for instance, has revised its travel advisories for those thinking about going to the United States, warning of potential “travel disruption.”
The advisory states, “Due to the partial U.S. government shutdown, some U.S. airports may experience longer than usual lines.”
Travelers are urged to “check with your travel agent, departure airport, or airline for the latest guidance.”
This situation unfolds as TSA employees are being furloughed—yet again, for the third time in about six months.
A spokesperson from TSA informed that the national callout rate reached 10.19% on Sunday, the highest rate the agency has recorded.
Recently, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport issued a warning regarding delays and highlighted issues caused by travelers attempting to bypass the domestic terminal lines.
As airport officials noted, “We’ve noticed increased congestion at checkpoints in the international terminal due to domestic travelers trying to skip the queues.”
They added, “If you’re flying domestically, please use the domestic security checkpoint. There’s currently a longer wait at the international checkpoints.”
During the weekend, major airports experienced a surge in calls, with Houston recording an increase of over 50% and New Orleans and Atlanta both exceeding 30%.
Call-out rates soared, reaching a staggering 55% at Houston Hobby Airport on Friday.
Moreover, 366 TSA employees left their positions during the shutdown, which has resulted in a significant staffing crisis, as training and certification for new officers can take four to six months.
Travel expert Clint Henderson mentioned that airline passengers might face worsening conditions as the shutdown continues. He added, “TSA employees are working without pay; some are quitting, while others are seeking alternate jobs just to make ends meet.”
He pointed out that weather-related issues across major airports are adding to the complications. “Mornings might be particularly tough; expect long lines. It’s wise to monitor local news and social media for updates, although some airports also post wait times on their websites.”
Henderson reminded passengers they have the right to request a refund if their flight gets canceled or significantly delayed, especially if they don’t accept an alternative booking.
He emphasized, “You are entitled to an immediate refund of your original payment method within 21 days for delays exceeding three hours domestically or six hours for international flights.”
