How Will the Federal Shutdown Affect Travelers?

If you plan to travel soon, you may need to rethink your plans. Prepare to change your travel plans if you plan on visiting a U.S. National Park soon! It’s just one of several ways a federal shutdown will affect travelers.

Well, in case you haven’t heard, the U.S. Government is on the verge of a shutdown at midnight on Saturday. To avoid it, the House, Senate, and White House need to reach an agreement for a short-term budget extension before then.

So what does that mean for travelers, which includes LGBTQ+ travelers? Expect delays at the airport. On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned, “If the government shuts down, air traffic controllers and TSA officers would be required to work without pay – potentially leading to significant delays and longer wait times for travelers at airports across the country, based on what occurred during previous shutdowns.”

According to Travel Weekly, the 2018-2019 shutdown created a surge in work absences by air traffic controllers, leading to a ground halt on flights heading to New York LaGuardia and also causing delays along the East Coast and beyond.  

During a time when there is a shortage of air traffic controllers, a shutdown could also halt the current training of 2,600 controllers. It could delay the deployment of new security technology equipment at airports and also delay the onboarding of nearly 2,500 employees, including TSA agents, according to the DHS. 

Overall, if you’re not choosing air travel to get to your desired destination then you’re unlikely to see major changes. But if you are heading to the airport, just treat it like traveling during the holidays and arrive extra early to ensure you make it through those long lines and catch your flight on time. 

In addition to the TSA agents and air traffic controllers not getting paid, travel experts believe a federal shutdown could directly affect National Parks and winter travel plans, too!

“If a shutdown occurs, our National Parks and monuments will be closed to visitors, and at a time when the parks are more popular than ever before,” said Philip Ballard, Chief Communications Officer at HotelPlanner, a booking service specializing in negotiated group hotel rates, extended stay, and corporate meeting planning for reservations at hotels. 

Ballard added, “Bottom line, government shutdowns have a negative psychological effect on travel and also cause real revenue losses for the travel and hospitality industry.” 

According to Condé Nast Traveler, some states like Utah and Arizona, have vowed to keep their national parks running at full capacity by redirecting state funds.

Let’s hope that all parties involved will come to some decision before midnight on Saturday and avoid throwing a wrench in travelers’ plans and wreaking havoc for others, including active military who may go unpaid – unable to support their families.