Public sentiment is predominantly negative regarding the government shutdown, with widespread frustration and concern over air traffic controllers working without pay and the implications for air travel safety. While some individuals report normal experiences, a significant number express fear of potential delays and stress the unfair treatment of essential workers.

US Government

Congress

President Trump

**Please note Rule 8 - Absolutely no politics allowed**. We will [strictly apply the linked guidelines political posts and comments](https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/wiki/politics/).

Feel free to discuss your experience at various airports, TSA checkpoints, US CBP immigration and customs, line-ups, and share any other tips you may have.

Do not diverge from the topic of the effects on travel and do not discuss the politics surrounding the shut down.

protox88

Please remember that all of the federal employees you encounter while traveling are having to work with zero pay; yes, they (should) get back payments, but that doesn’t negate current hardships.

Be kind and be patient.

Froggienp

Travelled today. TSA ran just like it normally does. No noticeable impact. 

If this goes on several weeks, you may have employees who need to be working paid jobs start to miss TSA shifts. Hopefully this stays short like most of the shutdowns.

Packtex60

[deleted]

I flew yesterday and everything operated normally. I think I waited maybe 3 minutes in line at precheck, and the general security line was also very normal.

I also traveled domestically and internationally during the 2018-2019 shutdown and basically didn't see any difference in security or with customs upon re-entry. I have global entry, but I remember that the regular customs lines weren't much longer than normal. That was the longest government shutdown in history, and it wasn't until like week 3ish that TSA folks started threatening sick-outs. I got a trial CLEAR membership just in case security lines started getting out of hand, but they never really did. 

Next week we'll be entering into the second week of the shut down, and at this point I fully anticipate it lasting at least that long. I really don't think you will be adversely effected, but you might consider getting a trial CLEAR membership to skip lines when possible (it works better in some airports than others). Also if you don't have global entry, download the mobile passport app before you depart. This will help you skip the general customs line when you come back. 

That said, every government shutdown has its own peccadilloes and certainly this administration likes to do things differently in season 2, so my previous experiences may not exactly mirror yours.

Enjoy Europe!

americanatletour

IMO you should always buy trip insurance. I know two people who ended up screwed by not having it. I actually renewed mine yesterday (have annual). 


That being said, flew out of jfk yesterday and it was pretty normal, including the lines. 


But like an earlier post said, be polite and patient.

FindYourselfACity

You might have a bigger problem with the French Air Traffic Controllers Strike the 7th to the 10th. Anything flying to Europe is going to be affected.

Synonymous11

Travel insurance - you should ALWAYS have it, and it’s not particularly expensive, including coverage for medical expenses. Some countries technically require it for entry, even if they don’t usually check.

coldkannon

We flew out from ATL to AMS yesterday with no noticeable impact from the shutdown. But I do agree be patient and we planned extra time just in case

192-251-68-246

I had a 6am flight this morning and it looked like a 1-2 hours wait at security. Normally there would no wait at 4:45am.  Very thankful to have Clear today.

FionaTheFierce

I'm flying internationally in about three weeks out of Newark, and I've also been thinking about whether I should be buy travel insurance, just in case. I've never bothered before, so I have zero idea about what company to look at, etc.

ibelieveinyeti

Why would you not get insurance? What if you get sick?

PM_ME_BUTTERED_SOSIJ

So when the "sick-outs" started last time? I have a flight in early November.

SwingNinja

Flew domestically today/Thursday Oct. 2, brilliant trip, shortest TSA lines I’ve seen in years 🤷‍♂️

Brave_Sir_Rennie

I flew domestically yesterday and had no issues. TSA was perhaps ever so slightly slower than normal for the time of day.

meh-beh

Travelled today internationally into Atlanta then into Chicago. ATL - customs via Global Entry was quick (there also was no line for people who don’t have GE). Transfer time (waiting for luggage to recheck) was pretty quick but going through security again via precheck took forever…..also people seemed extra grouchy (heard lots of tsa workers snapping at people, including me). 

I asked a worker a question about rechecking our bags for our transfer and he stopped me and said “stop talking to me and just listen” —and starts to tell me about where I need to go for my transfer gate 🙄

seoulintherain

If you paid for it with a major CC, chances are the CC benefits already have trip protection. If you're unsure, call the CC issuer (or login to their portal) and obtain a copy of the card benefits *as of the date of the ticket purchase*. (We got *really* lucky once when we had to cancel due to medical emergency, but tickets were \~2k each. CC benefits had changed to be 1500$ max *after* we purchased (it was a much higher limit before), and we got reimbursed for the entire expense)

Moist_Van_Lipwig

It shouldn't factor into your travel more than maybe longer lines at the airport

defroach84

No. They’re deemed “essential” and your trip will go just as it would have last week. 

Do, however, make sure you apologize to people for our poorly run country

AndJustLikeThat1205

I flew this morning and no issues. I have another trip in a week and if the government remains shutdown I might not take that one because of potential sickouts.

Sea_Voice_404

I never NEEDED trip insurance, until I did. I always buy it. I have used it several times, for different reasons. Fully reimbursed for canceled trip, due to Iceland volcano eruption shutting down air traffic. Hotel cost for flight delays, lost luggage. You may never need it, but if you do, you'll be glad you have it. Might not be too late to buy.

Ok_Play2364

CNN says "FAA delays flights into 3 major airports due to staffing problems". Can't link the article, it's in their version of "megathread". So, just google that, I guess.

recursing_noether

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Flights are still running just about as on time as they always are. The most effect you (the average passenger) will see is TSA agents in a worse mood and working a bit slower than normal, and air traffic control may be working a touch slower as well. I would not expect those to be significant changes though.

FlyingSceptile

Tomorrow? Should be fine.

The situation is that the federal employees who are involved in air travel will still be working, they just won't be getting paid. So the situation will change once they start missing paychecks, but until then it's not expected to really have much impact.

sudoku7

ATC is deemed essential, but the FAA said they are furloughing 11,000 employees.

phlflyguy

No, TSA and ATC are essential and are working.

DAWG13610

Flew tonight: Ags &gt; clt 

First time that Flight is ever left on time

Own-Dish-2847

For the next week, little to none. Three weeks from now? Lines could be long as agents call out so they can run a side gig so they can take care of their families.

Hour_Civil

I remember the last shutdown.  The longer it went, the slower things became.  For example, there may at some point be fewer TSA agents which would mean fewer lines.  But flights will continue to run.

mentalscribbles

Stockjock1

We flew today, half way across the country.  Business as usual.

wineguy7113

Just went through O'Hare TSA line was basically non existent, all good so far.

boozy_emperor

Wasn’t too bad leaving Vegas today.  Probably the quickest I’ve been through security here.  TSA was a breeze.

dadof2cjc

TSA and air traffic controllers are not getting paid, but are still required to show up for work.

Not sure what happens if they call off sick during a shutdown. But I wouldn’t be surprised if more than normal do anyway.

PrinzEugen1936

Playful-Park4095

I don’t understand why people think this is such a big deal every time it happens. Government has shut down dozens of times and there is no impact on air travel.

YMMV25

I flew this morning from one major hub to another with no issue.

Outrageous-Engine881

This thread shows how many fucking assholes fly on the regular.

Examinator2

Flew back into the US from Munich today, no issues on arrival or passport check.

DieGo2SHAE

government shutdowns have NO effect on air travel.

It's business as usual.

They shut down 5/6 years ago, and no one noticed.

Icy_Huckleberry_8049

I was supposed to fly home west to east coast connecting in ORD today. Woke up to delay delay cancel rebook delay delay. Now back at my hotel hoping to leave tomorrow first thing. Hope it’s just normal AA stuff but would also be easy to blame whichever political party i don’t like the most

Large_Device_999

You're flying American? You'll have to worry about your flight, shutdown or not. I've had piss poor luck getting anywhere with them in recent months.

Ancient-Decision2585

Does this change if my flight is on Saturday or you all thinking still fine?

whoopoutmoney

Sounds like you've made up your mind. Keep your head in the sand and everything and everything will be just fine. 

AcademicContest5167


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Don't care, I support keeping it shutdown as long as necessary.

sugarlessdeathbear

Fuck all the way off. What kind of Brave New World, Huxleyan nonsense is that as an argument? 

BigGrooveBox

Lmao I'll be lucky to still have a job by the end of the year. I guess I can use the last of my savings to be homeless in Hawaii.

DoubtSubstantial5440

You think I can afford a vacation in this economy 😅
Keep that shit shut down.

Winter-Huntsman

I pay too much for this house to leave it.

Federal-Employee-545

What travel plans? You think I can afford to travel, AP News?

Hyperica

1stLadyStormyDaniels

Jokes on you, I’m not spending money on travel because of the state the country is in!

mr2chittles

It’s rich how they’re highlighting additional stressors on our air traffic control system, lack of staff, etc, but nobody has laid out any clear budget highlights on how the FY26 budget would help any of that. 

False_Ad_5372

I'm about to take an international trip. I wouldn't be upset if I couldn't come back.

encrypted-signals

The uncertainty of my government is doing more to hinder my travel plans than the shutdown of that government.  While I'm gone Trump could revoke all US Passports to blue states on a whim, and it would somehow be legal.   I'll end up in the movie the Terminal.

SuperstitiousPigeon5

Hey, if you're an air traffic controller now expected to work without pay, maybe just don't.

The complete shutdown of US air travel will get Captain Taco to the negotiating table very quickly.

smersh101

It’s Fall, and the economy for the middle class is shit, no one is traveling. 

GreenTrees797

Hope it doesn't get in the way of my visa to get out of here.

VirtualGrey

Joke's on you, I'm paying off my last trip and saving for the recession.

accountabilitycounts

I have an international flight on the 30th that I can't really cancel and move ahead of time so this is all stressing me out, but also if I were in the position of someone even *floating* the idea of no backpay I sure as fuck wouldn't go to work either.

bmoviescreamqueen

This is what caused our pig king to fold last time.

ToNoMoCo

Until Trump ends shutdown, Ground air force one!  

Ugh-screen-name

Good. Shut international air travel down for US businesses that supported this administration. FAFO.

thistimelineisweird

The ongoing US government shutdown, which began on October 1, is causing significant disruptions in air travel across the country, leading to flight delays and staffing shortages among air traffic controllers.

US Government Shutdown Impact on Air Travel

Why This Matters

Public Sentiment Summary

Highlighted Comments

Parties Involved

What the people want