TSA chaos will look like 'child's play' if shutdown continues, Duffy warns

Passengers have faced long lines at airports as Transportation Security Administration agents called out of work after missing their first full paycheck last Friday. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned the disruption could worsen: "As we get into next week and they're about to miss another payment, this is going to look like child's play, what's happening right now." He echoed the TSA's acting deputy administrator in saying some airports could be forced to close if problems persist.

"You're going to see small airports, I believe, shut down," Duffy said, and added, "You're going to see extensive lines, and air travel's going to come to a grid halt stop." Staffing shortages have caused hourslong lines at some airports since the partial government shutdown began on February 14.

Monday saw the highest nationwide callout rate since the shutdown began, at 10.22%.

United States

tsa, sean duffy, government shutdown, airports, staffing shortages, long lines, missed paychecks, callout rate, airport closures, air travel