The nation's airports are under growing strain as thousands of TSA officers quit or call in sick amid a partial government shutdown that has left the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unfunded for over 30 days. Security wait times have soared past two hours at major hubs, with approximately 10% of the 50,000-strong workforce failing to report for duty on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.
Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl told CBS News that the agency has 'fully depleted' its National Deployment Office reserves, warning that if call-out rates continue to climb, 'there could be scenarios where we may have to shut down airports.'
