6Pre-AdvancedBusinessBusiness

Airline CEOs Demand Congress Pay TSA Workers During Shutdown

Ten major airline CEOs have sent an urgent open letter to Congress, calling unpaid TSA paychecks 'simply unacceptable.' With over 300 agents quitting and security lines exceeding three hours at some airports, the aviation industry warns that the ongoing government shutdown threatens spring travel for 171 million passengers.

2 min readLevel 6March 17, 2026

By Flalingo Editorial Team

Vocabulary

Study these words before reading the article. Click the audio button to hear pronunciation.

condemned

/kənˈdemd/

verb

To express very strong disapproval of something, usually for moral or ethical reasons

“The board of directors publicly condemned the company's decision to reduce employee benefits.”

unprecedented

/ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd/

adjective

Never having happened or existed before; completely new and without previous example

“The merger between the two technology firms was unprecedented in the history of the sector.”

bipartisan

/baɪˈpɑːrtɪzən/

adjective

Involving or supported by two political parties, especially the two major ones in a country

“The infrastructure bill received bipartisan support from both Republicans and Democrats.”

intensifying

/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪɪŋ/

verb

Becoming stronger, more serious, or more extreme over time

“Competition in the electric vehicle market is intensifying as new manufacturers enter the industry.”

eroding

/ɪˈroʊdɪŋ/

verb

Gradually weakening or destroying something over a period of time

“Constant policy changes are eroding consumer confidence in the financial markets.”

endorsed

/ɪnˈdɔːrst/

verb

To publicly declare support or approval for something, such as a plan, product, or statement

“The trade association endorsed the new regulations designed to protect small businesses.”

Article

Click on any underlined word to see its definition. Highlighted words are from the vocabulary section.

The CEOs of America's largest airlines have collectively condemned the government shutdown's impact on airport security. In an open letter published in The Washington Post, ten airline executives called $0 TSA paychecks 'simply unacceptable.' The letter was signed by leaders from United, American, Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, and Alaska Air. Cargo carriers FedEx, UPS, and Atlas Air also endorsed the unprecedented joint statement. This coordinated industry response underscores how severely the shutdown has disrupted commercial aviation operations.

Approximately 50,000 TSA officers have been working without pay since the shutdown began on February 14. More than 300 agents have already resigned, and unscheduled absences have doubled nationwide. Passengers at airports including Houston, Austin, and Newark have endured wait times exceeding three hours. Some airports have been forced to close security checkpoints entirely due to staffing shortages. The disruptions are intensifying as spring break travel reaches its peak season.

The airline executives urged Congress to pass three specific pieces of bipartisan legislation. These include the Aviation Funding Solvency Act, the Aviation Funding Stability Act, and the Keep America Flying Act. If enacted, these bills would guarantee pay for TSA officers during all future government shutdowns. The CEOs emphasized that this is the third shutdown in less than a year to leave TSA workers unpaid. Had Congress acted on previous proposals, the current crisis could have been entirely avoided.

The financial stakes for the aviation industry are particularly high this year. Airlines expect a record 171 million passengers during the spring season alone. Major events, including the FIFA World Cup and America's 250th anniversary, will further increase demand. Meanwhile, major airline stocks have already declined by double digits this year. Industry leaders argue that repeated shutdowns are eroding workforce morale and jeopardizing national transportation infrastructure.

Comprehension Quiz

Test your understanding of the article with these multiple-choice questions.

1
How many airline CEOs signed the open letter to Congress?
2
When did the partial government shutdown begin?
3
How many TSA agents have resigned since the shutdown started?
4
How many passengers do airlines expect during the spring season?
5
Which of the following is NOT one of the bills the CEOs urged Congress to pass?

Discussion

Answer these comprehension questions about the article.

1
What specific action did the airline CEOs take to address the issue of unpaid TSA workers?
2
How has the government shutdown directly affected airport operations across the United States?
3
Why did the CEOs mention the FIFA World Cup and America's 250th anniversary in their letter to Congress?
4
What three pieces of legislation did the airline executives urge Congress to pass, and what would they achieve?
5
How might the resignation of over 300 TSA agents create long-term consequences for the aviation industry?

Further Discussion

Share your opinions on these open-ended questions.

1
If you were an airline CEO, what additional strategies would you implement to mitigate the impact of the shutdown on your customers?
2
Do you believe essential government workers should be legally guaranteed pay during shutdowns, even if it requires permanent legislative reform?
3
How would you assess the financial risk to airlines if the shutdown continues through the summer travel season and the FIFA World Cup?
4
In your opinion, should airlines invest in private security screening as an alternative to relying on government-funded TSA operations?
5
If you were advising Congress, how would you balance the competing political priorities that led to this shutdown while protecting the aviation workforce?