TSA staffing shortages continue at Philadelphia airport as shutdown reaches one‑month mark

PHILADELPHIA – One month into the partial federal government shutdown, passengers at Philadelphia International Airport are navigating security lines amid ongoing staffing shortages.

The Transportation Security Administration confirmed that about 60,000 TSA employees received paychecks worth zero dollars on Friday. Since the shutdown began, hundreds of officers have quit nationwide, contributing to longer lines at some airports.

At Philadelphia International Airport, security lines moved smoothly Saturday afternoon, with average waits of 15 minutes or less. TSA closed the security checkpoint in Terminal C to avoid travel delays.

Passengers said they arrived early, anticipating delays. “I came an extra 3-4 hours before my flight even though it’s domestic because I would just rather be safe than sorry,” said Tiffany Conty of Baltimore, M.D.

A line formed at the checkpoint for Terminals D and E, though wait times remained manageable. “It’s still long, but we didn’t need to be here this early. That’s a good thing,” said Lisa Lawrence of Roxborough.

The missed paychecks are taking a toll on TSA officers, according to Joe Shuker, regional vice president of AFGE Council 100, which represents about 800 officers at the airport. He said many employees are calling out to find second jobs. “People are sleeping in their cars. People are taking second jobs driving Uber. Our officers, they’re going to come to work until they can’t. The stress point is different for everyone,” Shuker said.

Shuker added that officers could face discipline if they fail to report to work from suspension to termination. “On top of not being able to feed your family, not being able to put gas in your car, not being able to put food on your table, now you’re worried about losing your job,” he said.

Passengers expressed support for TSA workers and other federal employees affected by the shutdown. “They should be paid if they’re going to work, and they probably all have families to support so they have to do what they have to do,” said Jodi Saragino of Roxborough. Conty added, “They deserve to get paid and so does every other federal employee, so hopefully everything goes back to normal.”

A TSA spokesperson said in a statement that as staffing constraints arise, the agency will evaluate situations on a casebycase basis and adjust operations accordingly.