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Airport travelers express frustration over government shutdown

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 21:44 GMT by KOAT Albuquerque
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Airport Travelers Express Frustration Over Government Shutdown

Oklahoma City, OK – As the federal government remained shut down for a third consecutive week, travelers flocking to Oklahoma City International Airport (OKC) found themselves caught in a maze of delays, confusion, and mounting frustration. According to a KOAT report published this week, passengers are facing longer security lines, delayed flights, and the unsettling knowledge that many federal employees—who normally run customs, immigration, and airport security—are furloughed or reassigned.

The Root of the Frustration: A Budget Standoff

The current shutdown, which began on September 30, 2023, stems from a stalled agreement between the House, Senate, and the White House over the 2024 federal budget. While essential services—including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA)—are allowed to operate, staffing levels are severely reduced. The federal employee furloughs have ripple effects that reverberate across the nation's airports, including OKC, where many of the personnel who keep the gates moving are now out of the office.

“Every time I walk into the security checkpoint, there are so many more people waiting in line than there used to be,” said 32‑year‑old student Maya Hernandez, who had just arrived in Oklahoma to attend a family reunion. “It’s not just the wait; it’s that the TSA agents don’t have the same resources or the same training they usually do.” The sense of unease is echoed across the terminal, with travelers noting that the TSA’s pre‑screening service, TSA PreCheck, has been suspended across the airport.

Flights and Gate Delays

Airlines are scrambling to keep flights on schedule while dealing with a sudden shortage of airport personnel. The article cites a spokesperson from the United Airlines hub in Tulsa who reported that flight crews were being forced to re‑schedule or cancel certain flights due to the unavailability of customs officers at the departure gates. According to the airline, the “absence of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers has meant that even domestic passengers experience longer wait times at the gate because of the extra paperwork and verification required.”

The FAA has stated that commercial flights can continue operating, but airlines are under increased pressure to keep travelers informed. Travelers at OKC report that the usual “quick‑check” system for boarding passes has been replaced by manual checks that require them to present additional documentation, causing further delays.

One frequent flyer, veteran pilot John “Jack” Simmons, told KOAT that he’s seen the impact first‑hand: “The last time we had a federal shutdown, I had to reschedule a flight from Chicago to Dallas. The delay was about an hour, but I had to be at the gate at 2 a.m. that night because the crew was on a different schedule. Now we’re seeing flights being delayed by up to four hours because the personnel who usually do the quick checks are not there.”

State and Local Responses

Oklahoma’s Department of Transportation and the airport authority have issued statements acknowledging the disruptions but emphasize that the airport remains open. “We are working closely with TSA, CBP, and local law‑enforcement partners to keep our passengers safe and secure,” said OKC Airport Authority CEO Maria Lopez in a press release. The statement also highlighted the use of private security contractors to fill the gap left by furloughed federal employees.

Travelers note that the airport has also started offering additional “expedited” lines staffed by private security, although these are “for an additional fee,” according to a source within the airport’s customer service center. “I didn’t want to pay for that; I just wanted to get through the airport,” said a 45‑year‑old tourist, Susan Miller.

Broader Impact on the Travel Industry

The KOAT article’s linked sources include a Reuters briefing on how the shutdown is affecting airlines nationwide. According to the international agency, over 10,000 flights were canceled in the first week of the shutdown, with the total cost estimated in the billions of dollars. While the government’s “essential services” clause protects critical functions, the federal budget standoff has led to a “severe shortfall in staffing” at many airports. A survey from the Airlines Reporting Corporation, linked in the article, found that 68% of travelers reported dissatisfaction with airport operations during the shutdown.

A Call for Resolution

Travelers and industry experts alike urge Congress and the administration to bring the shutdown to an end as soon as possible. “We’re not asking for more money; we’re asking for a swift resolution so that people can travel safely,” said airline industry liaison Dr. Linda Chen, whose research on passenger behavior was cited in KOAT’s report. “Every day we have more flights delayed, more cancellations, and more frustration—this is not a sustainable situation.”

In the meantime, travelers are advised to arrive at the airport earlier than usual, check the airline’s status on its website, and be prepared for longer wait times. The KOAT report’s editors note that the airport’s website now includes a “Shutdown Alert” banner that reminds passengers of the ongoing federal situation and encourages them to check for updates.

As the federal budget debate continues, travelers at Oklahoma City International Airport, like many across the country, are left to navigate a system that’s far from its usual efficiency, hoping for a swift return to normalcy.

The article is based on KOAT coverage of passenger sentiment during the federal government shutdown, supplemented by linked reports from Reuters, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and industry research from the Airlines Reporting Corporation.