U.S. airport security paralyzes, unpaid TSA agent absenteeism rate triples

As the partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government continues, the unpaid work situation of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents is becoming more serious. According to the Department of Homeland Security, TSA agent absenteeism rates have tripled since the shutdown began on February 14. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is urging passengers to arrive four hours before departure, while Houston and New Orleans airports are also warning of significant wait times and security checkpoint closures.

Some TSA employees are not getting paid and are looking for other jobs to make ends meet. President Donald Trump has deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airports since March 23 to assist with apprehension of undocumented immigrants and security operations.

Passenger security fee, why can’t it be used as TSA salary?

Meanwhile, fundamental questions were raised on social media. “Why isn’t the security fee on every airline ticket used to pay TSA agents?” Atlanta TV reporter Brendan Keefe argued on

Passenger security fees are real. Under this system, which was introduced after the September 11 terrorist attacks, airlines collect a security fee when selling tickets and pass it on to TSA. The current rate, which was raised by Congress in 2014, is $5.60 one-way and $11.20 round-trip.

But the problem lies in the structure of federal law. According to a law enacted in 2013, the entire passenger security fee does not go to TSA. First, a certain amount of money must be deposited into the government's general fund to reduce federal debt. $1.64 billion in fiscal year 2026 and $1.68 billion in fiscal year 2027 are mandated to the general fund. Separately, $250 million will be used to reimburse airport costs related to baggage scanners and explosive detection equipment.

History of chronic lack of financial resources

These structural problems are not new. According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), revenue from passenger security fees has not been sufficient to cover TSA's operating costs in recent years. As of fiscal year 2024, TSA's total cost was about $9.8 billion, but the amount covered by passenger security fees was $3.5 billion, or only about 35% of the total. The remaining 65% has been covered by Congress-approved funds, the very funds whose payments are currently suspended due to a dispute between the Trump administration and Democratic lawmakers.

Ultimately, the passenger security fee system was introduced after 9/11 under the pretext of strengthening aviation security, but in reality, it was incorporated as part of the federal budget system rather than as an independent financial resource for TSA. As it is combined with another policy goal of reducing federal debt, it is working differently from its original purpose.

There is no possibility of legal transfer

So, wouldn't it be possible to transfer funds even in the short term in an emergency situation? Joshua Suel, director of research and policy at the federal budget watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense, said it was impossible. There is no basis for allowing such a transfer anywhere in the text of the federal appropriations bill or in the provisions of the U.S. code regulating security fees.

Future outlook [AI analysis]

If the current situation continues for a long time, several scenarios are likely to unfold. First, as the departure of TSA agents accelerates, the aviation security system itself may be in crisis. Second, discussion on revising the law on where passenger security fees are used may be triggered in Congress. Third, there is a possibility that the economic impact will spread throughout the airline industry due to a decrease in air travel demand.

This incident went beyond a simple government shutdown and revealed fundamental vulnerabilities in the U.S. aviation security financial structure. Unless the structural contradiction in which the security fee paid by passengers for each ticket is not actually used to pay security personnel is resolved, a similar situation can be repeated at any time.