BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — Travelers at Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield reported mostly smooth trips, even as a partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues to strain airport security staffing nationwide.
DENVER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 8: A TSA agent walks outside the Denver International Airport on November 8, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. The FAA has targeted 40 “high-volume” airports, including Denver International Airport, for flight cuts amid the government shutdown. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Some passengers elsewhere have faced significant disruptions. One traveler described arriving to find “the line was wrapped around” and said they “had to wait like an hour to even check our bags,” despite the process taking only a couple of minutes once they reached the counter. “I can like punch through a wall right now. I am over it,” the traveler said. Another traveler said, “I had like three canceled flights, and so now I just rebooked with United.”
Across the country, travelers are already dealing with delays and long lines, but some passengers flying out of Bakersfield said their experience at Meadows Field has been much easier.
Meadows Field Airport’s TSA entrance{ }
“Everything just went perfect. You couldn’t tell,” said traveler Brenda Nykamp.
Traveler Omar Sierra said, “I mean, the flight today was not too bad; it was smooth. I had no problems.”
Eyewitness News asked travelers whether they were concerned about how the shutdown could affect smaller airports like Meadows Field. Traveler Fernando Juarez said the bigger impact could be felt at larger hubs, but smaller airports could still see slowdowns. “Not so much, but more on the international ones, but it would affect sometimes because people tend not to show up early as they are supposed to, so it can slow it down,” Juarez said.
Meadows Field Airport KBAK/KBFX
The partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown is impacting TSA staffing as agents continue working without pay. George Borek, an Atlanta TSA officer, said the shutdown affects how many passengers can be processed. “I mean, we’re still going to do what we do, but it absolutely impacts how many people we process in a given time span. So it’s going to have a direct impact that way,” Borek said.
In an interview with Fox News, Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl said some smaller airports could be forced to shut down if more security workers call out or quit.
Meadows Field Airport was asked how severe conditions would have to get before operations are affected, but the airport had not yet responded.
The White House says it is reviewing a new DHS funding proposal from Senate Democrats.