ORLANDO, Fla. — The longest U.S. government shutdown presented its challenges to many across the country, including federal workers at Orlando International Airport (MCO).

It is now over after 43 days.

Carley Sirlin has worked for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for six years, including two at MCO, but this was her first time working during a government shutdown. She said the experience was hard for her and her coworkers.

What You Need To Know

The longest U.S. government shutdown ended this week at 43 days 

A transportation security officer at Orlando International Airport said the experience was challenging for her and her coworkers

The FAA announced that flight reductions will stay at 6% as more air traffic control workers get back to work

“There are still some coworkers that haven’t been able to come to work because, unfortunately, they just don’t have the gas money to pay,” Sirlin said. “They have to choose between feeding their kids or coming to work.”

Sirlin said it was challenging to work for six weeks without a paycheck. She turned to social media to find side jobs, like tutoring and pet-sitting, to make money while the shutdown continued.

“I need to be able to support myself financially without necessarily asking for help,” she said. “I know I can always ask for help from my family, but I wanted to see what I can do to help myself.”

She is glad the shutdown is over but understands change won’t happen overnight, calling it “a waiting game.”

“We still don’t know when that paycheck is going to hit,” Sirlin said. “It could be a week from today. It could be two weeks. It’s still kind of up in the air at this moment.” 

Kindness goes a long way, and travelers should be mindful of what TSA workers are going through, Sirlin said. She appreciates airport staff organizing a food pantry for workers, which she would visit.

Financial expert Christopher Dixon, cofounder of Oxford Advisory Group, said it’s important to communicate with lenders, like your mortgage or auto loan company.

“A lot of these programs are allowing furloughed workers to delay some of these payments; they understand,” Dixon said. “I see disclaimers around quite a bit now saying if you’ve been affected by the government shutdown, let us know.”

He said people should develop a financial plan, including emergency funds, for the long term. It’s important to pay for essentials first and dial down on extra costs, he added.

“We just have to stay on it and actually write it down — understand where our spending is going, where we need to absolutely spend — those essentials — and where we actually have flexibility,” Dixon said.

He recommends saving three to six months of reserves before going back to normal spending habits.

The end of the government shutdown brings some relief for travelers, too. The FAA announced flight reductions will stay at 6% — instead of the anticipated 10% — at 40 major airports, as more air traffic controllers come back to work.

For now, federal workers like Sirlin will sit and wait for their paychecks.

“I feel very much assured that it’s been signed off on,” Sirlin said. “I think it’s just a matter of time now.”