George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston exemplifies the severe disruptions to the nation’s air travel system caused by the ongoing partial government shutdown. Travelers face warnings of up to four-hour security wait times, as numerous Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers skip shifts without pay.

“We’ve been in this airport since 8 o’clock in the morning. Very tired, queuing and queuing and very slow,” said Edgaer Fernando, en route to Guatemala, on Tuesday.

Record-High TSA Callout Rates in Houston

Houston airports report some of the nation’s highest TSA absenteeism. Nationally, 11% of TSA workers missed shifts on Tuesday, but at Bush Intercontinental, nearly 40% called out. At Hobby Airport, the rate reached 43%. Callouts average 35% to 40%, according to Johnny Jones, secretary and treasurer for Council 100 of the American Federation of Government Employees, representing TSA workers nationwide.

Bush Intercontinental handles far more traffic, serving 48.4 million passengers in 2024 compared to Hobby’s 14.6 million. Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System, notes that 37 TSA checkpoint lanes typically operate, but only one-third to half function now. “We worry conditions will only get worse at airports across the U.S. until Congress ends this shutdown,” Szczesniak stated in a social media video on Tuesday.

TSA employees face mounting financial strain from prior shutdowns, rising grocery and gas prices. “They’re just tired of it,” Jones said. “There could be a million factors, but as simple as this: If everybody’s being paid, you wouldn’t have no lines.”

Major United Airlines Hub Amplifies Issues

As one of the busiest U.S. airports and a key United Airlines hub, Bush Intercontinental processed 34.8 million United passengers out of 48.4 million total in 2024. “There’s high callouts, but it’s also the excessive origination point for a lot of flights,” Jones explained. A nationwide hiring freeze has left TSA short-staffed for about a year even before the shutdown.

Bustling March Events Fuel Passenger Surge

Spring break coincides with major events: World Baseball Classic games, CERAWeek energy conference drawing over 10,000 global attendees, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo attracting 2.6 million visitors, and upcoming NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 games.

“While the delays frustrate travelers, they do not appear to impact tourism. In fact, Houston experiences the strongest March ever for hotel rooms and reservations,” Mayor John Whitmire stated.

Wait Times Ease Slightly

By Wednesday, security lines at Bush Intercontinental shortened to under two hours. “Everyone’s trying their best. And thanks to all the TSA members who are here,” said Raj Chauhan, heading to Miami.