keady As travelers across the U.S. brace for longer airport security lines amid a federal government shutdown, there are 18 airports where TSA isn't impacted because the airport uses private contractors instead of union workers.
As a federal government shutdown disrupts airport operations nationwide, travelers are seeing sharply different experiences at security checkpoints. While many major hubs have reported long TSA lines caused by staffing shortages, missed paychecks, and officer call‑outs, a small group of airports continue to operate with few delays because their employees are all still being paid as if there was no shutdown. Why Are Some Airports Not Impacted by Government Shutdown At most U.S. airports, TSA officers are federal employees who must work during shutdowns without pay, often for weeks at a time. During past shutdowns, this has led to widespread absenteeism, burnout, and resignations—resulting in security lines stretching for hours at some airports. By contrast, airports enrolled in the Screening Partnership Program (SPP) rely on private screening companies contracted and overseen by TSA. While TSA still sets all security procedures, oversees operations, and maintains a federal presence at these airports, the screeners themselves are not federal employees. Airports participating in the TSA's SPP use private screeners that are largely insulated from shutdown‑related staffing shortages because their employees are paid through pre‑funded federal contracts rather than congressional appropriations, whereas federal TSA employees have to go without pay. That financial stability allows airports to maintain normal staffing levels even when the rest of the federal government is partially closed. The program, created in 2004, remains relatively rare. As of early 2026, roughly 20 U.S. airports participate in SPP, according to TSA documentation. READ MORE
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