50,000 TSA Officers Working for Free — 300+ Quit as Airport Security Lines Spiral to 3 Hours

50,000 TSA Officers Working for Free — 300+ Quit as Airport Security Lines Spiral to 3 Hours

Airport travel is turning into a nightmare — and it’s only getting worse.

New data obtained by CBS News reveals that TSA absences have more than doubled nationwide during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown, with call-out rates jumping from about 2% to 6% as thousands of agents continue working without pay.

The situation is hitting major airports hard. At New York’s JFK, absences reached 21%, while Atlanta saw 19%, and Houston’s Hobby Airport recorded 18% — with some days even more extreme. In Houston, more than half of scheduled officers didn’t show up, crippling security operations.

The fallout? Travelers are paying the price. At one point, security lines in Houston stretched beyond three hours, with passengers urged to arrive 4–5 hours early just to make their flights. Meanwhile, airports like New Orleans warned flyers to show up at least three hours in advance as delays spiraled.

Behind the scenes, the workforce is shrinking fast. Since the shutdown began on February 14, the TSA has lost 305 employees, and replacing them isn’t quick — new hires require 4 to 6 months of training before they can work independently.

Officials say the crisis could have long-term consequences. One former TSA administrator admitted the shutdown is “a huge morale hit,” warning that fewer officers showing up creates “a perceived vulnerability” as security lines grow longer.

And with roughly 50,000 TSA officers still working without pay, concerns are growing that more workers could walk away — leaving airports even more short-staffed as travel demand continues to rise.