CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — On Oct. 1, the U.S. government shut down, placing as many as 750,000 federal workers on furlough. It remains unclear how long this shutdown will last. With the Transportation Security Administration screening as many as 3 million people every day, and air traffic control staffing levels already low, strain on staff could affect travelers’ experiences at the airport, says aviation expert Sheldon H. Jacobson, a professor of computer science in The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jacobson talked with News Bureau biomedical sciences editor Liz Ahlberg Touchstone about what the shutdown could mean for air travelers.
Will air travel continue during the government shutdown? How will flights be affected?
Yes, air travel will continue. For the first week of the shutdown, air travel will look like “business as usual” from the perspective of air travelers. However, if the shutdown moves into a second week and beyond, strains on the air system will begin to show.
Transportation Security Administration officers and air traffic controllers are all classified as essential workers. However, these workers will not get paid until after the shutdown ends. If the shutdown drags on for many days or weeks, these workers may call in sick more frequently, which can slow airport security screening lines at airports or lead to flight cancellations if air traffic control volume at busy airports must be reduced.
Could smaller regional airports shut down if there are not enough workers to staff the TSA checkpoints or control towers at those locations?
Smaller regional airports typically have fewer staff, hence they are more vulnerable to operational issues when staff become unavailable for any reason. If TSA officers or air traffic controllers at these airports call in sick at higher rates, operations could be slowed down, particularly at security checkpoints. This could lead to flight delays, resulting in more travelers missing connecting flights.
Will it remain safe and secure to travel by air?
Safety and security are not an issue. If anything is impacted, it will be efficiency and service. Since October is typically a slow air travel period, this will dampen some of the efficiency concerns and service disruptions.
What do you recommend travelers do if they plan to fly during the shutdown?
Flying during the government shutdown requires travelers to be aware of the situation at the airport from which they will depart. Though the shutdown is national, the impacts will often be felt locally. Planning for the unplanned is a good rule of thumb. Arriving at the airport with ample time to check in, check baggage and get through security will reduce stress.
Could anything good for air travel come out of the shutdown?
Our air system is a national treasure that many of us take for granted. It permits a fluid movement of people and goods that facilitate economic growth and well-being. Yet with the shutdown, viewing TSA officers and air traffic controllers as essential workers that will not be paid is nonsensical. Government shutdowns should never occur. If they do, punishing these people only makes the situation worse for everyone.
