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What a Government Shutdown Could Mean for Holiday Travelers

^{Published on 2024-12-20 12:26:32 - Travel + Leisure}
 

• With just hours to go before a potential government shutdown in the midst of what is expected to be the busiest travel season on record, the head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) warned travelers longer wait times at airports could be ahead.

The article from Travel + Leisure discusses the potential impacts of a government shutdown in 2024 on holiday travel, particularly focusing on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). If a shutdown occurs, TSA agents, who are considered essential workers, would have to work without pay, which could lead to increased absenteeism as seen in past shutdowns. This might result in longer security lines and delays at airports during the busy holiday season. The article highlights that during the 2018-2019 shutdown, TSA experienced a significant increase in employee absences, with some days seeing up to 10% of the workforce not showing up. Additionally, the shutdown could affect air traffic controllers, potentially leading to further disruptions in air travel. The piece also notes that while TSA agents would eventually receive back pay, the immediate financial strain could still impact their willingness to work, thereby affecting travel operations.

Read the Full Travel + Leisure Article at:
[ https://www.travelandleisure.com/government-shutdown-2024-tsa-holiday-travel-8765024 ]

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