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By Amanda Greenwood
Associate News Editor
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Airport travelers may see some relief soon, as President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to begin paying Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees, after they have missed weeks of wages during the partial government shutdown that began in mid-February.
However, big questions remain about when workers will be paid—it could be as early as Monday, according to The Associated Press—and how quickly those paychecks will translate into shorter security lines.
Below is what we know—so far—about whether TSA workers will be paid on Monday, what the administration says about timing, and what it could mean for travelers.
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When Could TSA Workers Get Paid?
According to reporting by the AP, on Friday, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said that TSA workers “should begin seeing paychecks as early as Monday,” following Trump’s order authorizing DHS to make the payments.
The AP reported that Trump framed the situation as an emergency, saying in a statement on Friday that “America’s air travel system has reached its breaking point,” and that the circumstances “constitute an emergency situation compromising the nation’s security.”
Why TSA Pay Stopped
TSA workers stopped getting paid because of a funding lapse that began in mid‑February after Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on the DHS budget—mainly due to disagreements over immigration enforcement policies and how the department should operate.
TSA staff are considered essential because they screen passengers and luggage to prevent weapons, explosives, or other threats from entering aircraft, meaning they are critical to public safety. But their essential role also means that they’re required to keep showing up for work even when government funding runs out.
But missed paychecks can quickly hurt staffing and morale.
Airport Security Lines: Why Delays May Not Vanish Immediately
Even if paychecks begin flowing on Monday, travelers may not see an instant improvement at every airport.
According to Federal News Network, nearly 500 TSA staff have quit since the partial shutdown began, and airports are seeing the highest wait times on record. The AP reports that at some airports, about 40 percent of TSA staff who are scheduled to work are calling in sick or not reporting for their shifts—this translates to over 11 percent, nationwide—leading to longer security screening lines.
Former TSA officer and travel newsletter writer Caleb Harmon-Marshall told the AP that airport security lines could remain long until officers are confident pay will continue, suggesting the system may take a week or two to stabilize even after paychecks resume: “If it’s only for a pay period, that’s not enough to bring them back,” he said.
What Travelers Should Do Now
While the situation settles, travelers wishing to fly over the next couple of weeks should consider:
- Arriving earlier than usual, especially at major hubs
- Checking airline travel alerts and rebooking options
- Monitoring airport advisories for changes or terminal-specific instructions
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