The U.S. government officially shut down on October 1, after Congress failed to reach a budget deal. For travelers, that doesn’t mean flights grind to a halt right away — but the longer the shutdown drags on, the greater the chance of delays and headaches.
Airport security screeners, air traffic controllers and customs officers are considered essential, so they’ll keep working through the shutdown. The catch is that they won’t be paid until it ends, and in past shutdowns, that’s led to staffing shortages as frustration builds.
