TSA Workers Are Calling Out Sick In Record Numbers In Attempt To End Shutdown - Forbes

Forbes
March 18, 2026
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3 min read

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The Bottom Line

TSA workers are staging sick-outs in record numbers during a government shutdown, reducing airport security screening capacity.

How This Affects You

Airport security lines may lengthen significantly, causing flight delays and longer wait times for travelers, potentially affecting bookings and travel plans.

AI Summary

TSA workers are calling out sick in record numbers as a pressure tactic during a government shutdown. The sick-out represents a coordinated labor action by Transportation Security Administration employees frustrated by the closure and seeking to force its resolution. High absenteeism at airport security checkpoints disrupts travel operations nationwide and underscores worker frustration over delayed paychecks and uncertainty about when normal operations will resume. The action is one of the most visible forms of worker protest during the shutdown, as TSA employees have continued reporting to work without pay since the federal government ceased appropriations. The sick-out highlights the real-world impact of extended shutdowns on critical infrastructure and federal employees who cannot simply stop performing their duties.

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