What Travelers Need to Know During the Government Shutdown

With the most recent government shutdown, federal employees and agencies are vastly impacted. As a traveler, impacts on the following government agencies will likely affect your travel plans the most: Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and National Park Service (NPS).

If You Have an Upcoming Flight: Be Patient

Both the FAA and TSA are considered essential to the government, which means essential employees have to work, but without pay. Non-essential programs and employees in these agencies, like field trainings, support staff, and inspections, will not operate during the shutdown. Because of this, you can expect longer lines at airport security, longer processing times for passports and TSAPreCheck, as well as flight delays.

A unified aviation coalition sent a letter to government leaders urging them to avoid a shutdown, saying, "Government shutdowns harm the U.S. economy and degrade the redundancies and margins of safety that our National Airspace System (NAS) is built upon." The coalition also highlighted the current air traffic controller and technician staffing shortage, and that a shutdown and hiring freeze could make this problem worse.

During this time, it's important to remain calm and considerate when dealing with TSA agents and airline gate agents who are working through delays.

If You're Planning to Visit a National Park: Reconsider Your Plans

NPS employees will see a 64 percent reduction in staff, with open air attractions remaining open, but buildings that require staffing (like visitor centers and monuments) closed. The National Parks Conservation Association is urging visitors to stay home and plan national park trips for another time—when parks are properly staffed.

Understaffed national parks are a danger to the lands that the parks protect, visitors, and rangers. In previous shutdowns and periods where parks were understaffed, parks saw irreplaceable damage to property, artifacts, campsites, wildlife, and flora and fauna. Visitor centers will be closed, critical maintenance projects paused, and search and rescue teams will be less prepared.

As unfortunate as it is to reschedule a trip, a vacation to a national park during a government shutdown isn't in your best interest, or the best interest of the national park. Some states—where parks are economic drivers, especially during fall foliage season—are working on contingency plans to help safely support visitors.

If You're Planning to Visit Washington D.C.: Check for Closures

If you're traveling to D.C. and hoping to visit the free Smithsonian museums or the National Zoo, these locations will likely be closed. Tours of government buildings, like the Capitol, will also be shut down.

As this is an evolving situation, check your local news services for the most up-to-date information. Check specific airports for delays, national park websites for closures and other updates, and the Smithsonian Institution's website for closures and updates.