Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

U.S. federal government shutdowns can require essential federal workers—such as air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents—to work without pay, which can create staffing shortages and contribute to nationwide flight delays and cancellations.

During U.S. federal government shutdowns, certain transportation employees, including air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, can be designated as essential personnel and may be required to work without pay.

During a U.S. federal government shutdown, employees designated as essential (examples include members of the armed forces, Transportation Security Administration agents, and federal law enforcement such as the U.S. Capitol Police) may be required to continue working without pay.

Air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel are classified as essential federal workers in the United States.

During U.S. federal government shutdowns, some federal employees continue to work but do not receive pay while the shutdown is in effect.

Federal employees deemed essential, such as air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, are required to continue working during lapses in government funding and can face missed paychecks, which can lead to staffing shortages and disruptions to services like airline travel.

Identity verification at airport security checkpoints is the first step in the physical screening process and is used to support intelligence-based traveler prescreening to help identify high-risk travelers.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) adopted a policy stating that male TSA officers will conduct pat-down procedures on male passengers and female TSA officers will conduct pat-down procedures on female passengers, regardless of officers' gender identity or transition status.

Internal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) documents stated that transgender officers would no longer serve as the TSA-required witness when a traveler elects to have a pat-down conducted in a private screening area.

During a U.S. federal government shutdown, air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers are designated essential employees and are required to continue working even if their pay is delayed until funding is restored.

Extended U.S. federal government shutdowns increase the likelihood of flight delays and longer security checkpoint wait times due to staffing and operational disruptions.

A 2021 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) management directive assigned screening work consistent with officers' gender identity.

Federal rules designate Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers as essential employees who must continue reporting to work during lapses in federal funding.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Federal government shutdowns can cause federal employees to be furloughed and can interrupt pay for federal workers and service members when appropriations lapse.

A federal government shutdown can halt pay for federal employees and disrupt services provided by troops, air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents, and Border Patrol officials.

A federal government shutdown can cause some federal employees, including air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents, to miss paychecks until appropriations are restored.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents and air traffic controllers are aviation-sector federal workers whose staffing levels directly affect airport security screening throughput and air traffic operations.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) advises air travelers to arrive at airport security checkpoints two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) maintains a national deployment office that can reassign TSA personnel to assist airports experiencing higher staff callout rates or localized operational strains.

Staffing shortages among aviation-related federal personnel, including air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, can contribute to increased flight cancellations and delays.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inspects airline passengers before they board flights.

Airport passenger screening systems used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) include X-ray scanners and Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) equipment to detect prohibited items.