Prolonged Shutdown Stirs New Fears for Flyers

Raleigh travelers eye delays as U.S. government shutdown stretches into a second week, raising staffing worries at RDU and other airports. RALEIGH, N.C. — A week into the latest federal government shutdown, anxiety is rising among travelers in Raleigh and across the United States about what a prolonged budget standoff could mean for holiday flights, security checkpoints and air-traffic safety.

Why this shutdown matters for flyers

Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) said its control tower remained fully staffed through Day 7 of the shutdown, but aviation unions and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are warning of ripple effects that could spread quickly if paychecks pause and critical employees seek outside work. Similar staffing callouts have already surfaced at Hollywood Burbank Airport in California, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). Nick Daniels, president of NATCA, urged lawmakers to end the impasse, saying the shutdown diverts focus from the agency’s “vital work,” Daniels said at a Washington news conference.

FAA confirms “staffing shortages”

In a prepared statement, the FAA said “increased staffing shortages across the system” may force it to slow traffic into certain airports to maintain safety. While the agency can legally require many air-traffic controllers to report during a lapse in appropriations, overtime pay and training programs are suspended, creating a backlog that historically takes months to fix.

On the ground at RDU

Several passengers arriving at RDU told JetsetterGuide they were relieved to touch down without delay but remained wary of coming weeks. Joe Pascual, who once worked ramp service at another airport, praised federal employees who continue without pay. “Keep your heads up,” Pascual said in the Terminal 2 baggage claim area. Daniel Cortes, flying in from Miami, echoed that sentiment. “I don’t know who would work for free, honestly,” Cortes said at the gate, adding that travelers should extend patience to Transportation Security Administration officers already stretched thin.

Seven days and counting

The shutdown began when lawmakers failed to pass a budget bill by midnight on Sept. 30. By Day 7, roughly fifty thousand TSA agents and fifteen thousand air-traffic controllers were working without pay nationwide. At RDU alone, TSA screens about 12,000 passengers on an average weekday—a figure that spikes during holiday periods. Any significant increase in sick calls, historically known as “blue flu,” could cause hour-long checkpoint lines or flight ground-stops.

Past shutdowns offer clues

During the 35-day partial shutdown of 2018-19, LaGuardia Airport in New York experienced a traffic management initiative that delayed departures across the Northeast after multiple controllers called out. The FAA’s current warning suggests it could employ a similar strategy sooner if absences mount. A 2020 Government Accountability Office report found that training interruptions from that shutdown added up to six months to some controllers’ certification timelines. NATCA argues the system has less margin today because about twenty percent of certified controllers are eligible to retire this year.

The Burbank signal

Callouts at Hollywood Burbank Airport have not yet cascaded into nation-wide delays, but industry analysts say small facilities are often the first to reveal stress. If a Class C tower like Burbank goes to skeleton staffing, controllers from nearby Los Angeles International may have to absorb extra workload, creating a domino effect that reaches hubs such as Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson.

Tips for travelers

• Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before domestic departures and 3 hours for international flights until the shutdown is resolved.
• Sign up for airline flight-status alerts and download the FAA’s free Air Traffic Control System Command Center map (https://www.fly.faa.gov/otweb/) to see real-time delays.
• Consider early-morning flights; historically, delays compound later in the day when staffing gaps widen.
• Pack snacks and a refillable water bottle in case concessions or lounges face reduced hours due to lower staffing.
• Enroll in TSA PreCheck or CLEAR now—application offices remain open even during a shutdown, though some appointment slots may be limited.

What about refunds?

If the FAA initiates nationwide ground-stops or your airline cancels a flight, U.S. Department of Transportation rules require carriers to offer a refund or rebooking at no extra cost. Travel insurance policies often cover additional hotel nights or meals during government-related interruptions, but benefits vary. Check whether your policy includes a “government closure” clause before assuming you are protected.

What happens next in Washington

Congress is not scheduled to reconvene until Monday, meaning the earliest government workers could receive back pay is mid-October. The White House has said it will not negotiate over budget bills that strip funding from the FAA or TSA, leaving little room for compromise in the short term. Analysts at Airlines for America estimate that each week of shutdown costs the aviation sector roughly $140 million in lost productivity.

Long-term infrastructure concerns

Beyond immediate staffing, a protracted lapse stalls grant approvals for runway repairs and NextGen modernization projects. RDU is waiting on a $65 million FAA match to relocate Taxiway F and extend Runway 5L/23R; that project could slip from a 2027 to a 2028 completion if current delays persist.

FAQ: Government shutdown travel

Will my flight be canceled?

Most flights will continue operating, but expect potential delays if controller staffing drops or weather complicates routing.

Are TSA checkpoints open?

Yes. TSA agents are considered essential, though slower throughput is possible during peak times.

Can I get Global Entry interviews during the shutdown?

Customs and Border Protection is permitting interviews, but some enrollment centers may reduce hours without administrative funding.

Do airlines offer waivers?

None so far, but carriers such as Delta, Southwest and United have historically issued fee waivers once FAA delay programs become widespread.

The bottom line for Raleigh travelers

For now, RDU’s tower reports no sick-out absences, and most flights depart on schedule. Still, the cautionary tale playing out at Burbank, coupled with the FAA’s warning, suggests that patience and contingency planning are prudent. Pack an extra dose of flexibility—and perhaps a good audiobook—until Capitol Hill restores the paychecks that keep America’s skies humming. — as Daniels told reporters in Washington.