Tim and Jenny Stobaugh of Dallas prepare to go through security at DFW Airport with their children Delia, 6, (preparing to step through the metal detector) and Emery, 8, on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 on their way to Calgary for the holidays. (Star-Telegram/Joyce Marshall)
Joyce Marshall
Star-Telegram/Joyce Marshall
An airport security line at Austin-Bergstrom airport extended hundreds of feet out the terminal door on Friday morning. Earlier this week, passengers waited three or four hours at Houston’s Hobby Airport.
Travelers across the country are seeing similar problems after four weeks of the shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Transportation and Security Administration.
For TSA officers, including at Dallas-Fort Worth and Dallas Love Field airports, this is the third time since last fall that they’ve had to work without pay.
“Most people in America don’t know what it’s like to work every single day and not receive a paycheck,” said Johnny Jones, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1040, which represents TSA agents in North Texas.
Jones said some TSA officers, who are responsible for airport security screening, are still paying paying back loans and late fees from the previous shutdowns. They are struggling financially and may not be able to continue to show up and work for free.
After the last shutdown in January, it took 10 to 30 days for some workers to get their back pay, Jones said. A small number of them did not receive their full pay.
“What really hurts is that when people watch news media, and they see we spent $9 billion on bombs, but we can’t even pay us our little paycheck, that is devastating to the workforce,” Jones said Friday.
Shutdown causes airport delays across US
At Austin’s airport, the massive lines started around 5 a.m. but cleared up after a few hours. Airports are especially busy with spring break travel.
But neither DFW nor Love Field have seen problems so far, according to airport spokespeople.
“We aren’t experiencing significant impacts due to the shutdown,” a Love Field representative said, “but unanticipated delays may occur. We will have extra airport staff on hand as we head into the busy travel weekend.”
DFW had nearly 200 delays on Friday, though it is unclear how many were related to issues at other airports.
“As we move into the spring break travel period, we are encouraging customers to plan ahead, arrive early and use the airport’s digital tools to help navigate busy travel days,” a spokesperson for DFW Airport said. “DFW expects elevated passenger volumes throughout the period, and travelers can help ensure a smooth experience by allowing extra time for their journey to the gate and checking real-time updates through the DFW Airport mobile app and website.”
The Homeland Security shutdown began Feb. 14 over debate in Congress about federal immigration enforecement, which falls under DHS.
On Thursday, a vote to end the shutdown failed, and Friday was the first day since the shutdown began that TSA officers were working without a full paycheck.
This is the third government shutdown since September . The first one lasted for four days from Jan 31. to Feb. 3.
Last fall, a shutdown lasted for 43 days making it extremely difficult for federal employees to put food on the table.
The union for TSA officers is working with other unions including the North Texas Area Labor Federation and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA on way to help provide food and other necessities.
Thursday’s Senate vote on a funding bill did not meet the threshold to pass. Sen. John Fetterman was the only Democrat to cross the aisle to vote with the Republicans.
ABC News reported that some airports have food pantries set up for TSA officers and other federal employees who are having trouble putting food on the table.
Some federal employees feel like the government shutdowns may lead to the privatization of the TSA.
“We’ve had three government shutdowns, one ongoing, and we are sick and tired of being threatened with the thought of them trying to privatize our jobs,” Jones said. “We are dedicated civil servants, and I would never recommend privatizing the TSA. In fact, I’ll be the first one on a plane up to D.C. to testify on Capitol Hill and oppose that idea.”
Tevita Uhatafe, president of the North Texas Area Labor Federation, said morale is hard to sustain under these circumstances
“Once you clock out, you do not have anything to show for what you just did at work,” Uhatafe said. “It’s a financial strain that has been further exacerbated by gas prices, food prices. I feel bad for these people, this is really hard.”
This story was originally published March 14, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Fousia Abdullahi is a Fort Worth Star-Telegram news reporter who covers suburban cities including Southlake, Colleyville, Grapevine and Keller. She enjoys reading and attending local events. Send tips by email or phone.