Long TSA lines return at Austin airport as shutdown drags on, pay order offers hope

AUSTIN, Texas — Long security lines returned to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Sunday as the partial government shutdown continued, prompting some travelers to arrive hours early and still worry they might miss their flights.

Some travelers said they showed up four hours ahead of departure to try to avoid problems at the checkpoint. Inside the terminal, security lines stretched across the building, testing patience as passengers waited to be screened.

“This has been insane. Hopefully they get it figured out,” traveler John Wittle said. Another traveler, Juliana Sombrano, said, “We arrived four hours earlier today because they said the lines were going to be really long today.”

Airport officials said they were expecting about 32,000 travelers Sunday. The airport typically considers anything over 30,000 to be a busy travel day.

The congestion contributed to travel disruptions for some passengers. “American cancelled our flight. Didn’t tell us anything about what to do. Our bags are in a completely different city right now,” traveler Michael Vosicky said.

The extended TSA lines have also affected other Texas airports, including Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. TSA agents have not been paid in more than 40 days as the partial shutdown has continued, leaving some travelers sympathetic to workers.

“Obviously feel sorry for the staff who are going through everything,” traveler Michael Radomir said.

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On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order authorizing TSA agents to be paid with Department of Homeland Security funds, while blaming Democrats for the airport controversy. “Some of them are needing money because the Democrats cut off their money. I blame the Democrats more than anything else,” Trump said.

The order came as House Republicans rejected a bipartisan Senate bill that would have fully funded the TSA and several other agencies.

At Austin-Bergstrom, travelers said they hope paying TSA workers will help speed up screening lines. “Hopefully it does nothing but continue to improve everything, everything that we’re seeing here,” traveler Mark Lupkey said.

TSA said agents could begin getting paid as early as Monday. The agency did not confirm how many agents have not been working in Austin since the partial shutdown began.