The government shutdown is snarling air travel with hundreds of flights delayed nationwide. Things are only expected to nosedive from here if the shutdown drags on.
Air travel often suffers during federal shutdowns because essential workers at airports are expected to work throughout shutdowns without pay. Once the government reopens, these workers are entitled to back pay — but historically, many people begin to call in sick the longer a shutdown transpires. Affected workers include those serving the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration, and Air Traffic control.
Things could only worsen from here, especially if furloughed workers don’t receive the backpay they’re usually entitled to. The White House floated the possibility on Tuesday.
Data from FlightAware, a flight tracking platform, shows that more than 2,500 flights were delayed in the U.S. as of Wednesday late afternoon.
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The FAA on Wednesday acknowledged that airports in Chicago, Nashville, and a handful of others were struggling with staffing shortages. An air traffic control tower in California was reportedly closed because of staffing shortages, leaving a pilot to take off with no guidance.
If the shutdown continues, travelers should expect more delays in the event that frustrated airport personnel already grappling with skeleton crew staff levels begin to call out more.
As a result, some entrepreneurs are ditching air travel for the time being.
“With the Federal shutdown, travel delays and concerns for me have definitely risen and now I am making alternative travel plans,” says Sharon Zimmerman, the owner of Sharon Z Consulting, which advises small businesses in the jewelry industry. “This looks like opting out of conference fees (on the off chance that a TSA or FAA work stoppage would prevent travel), but opting into local, more casual networking events for my industry.”
Traditional TSA guidance for travelers advises arriving to the airport two hours prior to domestic flights and three hours before international.
Melanie Fish, a travel expert at the travel technology company Expedia Group, suggests another hack. She recommends that travelers book earlier flights. Referencing Expedia data, she says that planes flying out before 3 p.m. are less likely to see cancellations.
“Now is absolutely not the time to test the ‘airport theory’ by showing up 15 minutes before your flight departs,” Fish says. “Preparation is everything, so give yourself time, protect your investment, and travel smart.”