By Sean Cudahy | NerdWallet
If Congress fails to reach a spending deal by Oct. 1, the resulting government shutdown could have a significant impact on travel, and not in a positive way.
The U.S. Travel Association has issued a warning that a shutdown could bring “dire consequences,” with the industry estimated to lose $140 million per day.
Among the most crucial workers in the aviation industry, such as air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers, would be required to work without pay. Past shutdowns have resulted in an increase in federal employee absences, longer security lines, and more flight delays.
“The federal government is already failing the traveler,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO, Geoff Freeman. “A shutdown would only further prove Washington’s inability to find reasonable solutions to problems affecting Americans nationwide.”
How will a government shutdown impact air travel?
While thousands of federal workers may be furloughed in the event of a government shutdown, air travel is expected to continue as usual. Both TSA officers and air traffic controllers will continue working, but without pay.
Initially, this should not lead to immediate delays for travelers. However, if the shutdown persists for weeks, some federal employees may refuse to work without receiving a paycheck.
During the nation’s longest-ever shutdown from December 2018 to January 2019, TSA reported that 10% of its officers were absent due to unscheduled absences.
This situation forced some airports to close security checkpoints and caused significant delays for travelers.
In the 2019 government shutdown, some air traffic controllers also missed work, resulting in a temporary halt at New York-LaGuardia airport and major delays at Newark, Philadelphia, and Atlanta airports.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently facing a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers, which has led to delays and cancellations in the past. If there are more unscheduled absences during a government shutdown, flight delays and cancellations could become even more severe.
Potential long-term consequences for air travel
A government shutdown could also have long-term implications for air travel. One such example is the training of new air traffic controllers, which typically takes up to three years. This training is crucial in addressing the staffing shortage and restoring air travel to normal levels.
“If a government shutdown occurs, it will disrupt this process, and the disruption would be significant,” said Acting FAA Administrator Polly Trottenberg. “If we were to shut down for a couple of weeks, it would take much longer than that to recover.”
However, she emphasized that the agency would not compromise on safety in the event of a shutdown.
Will national parks close during a government shutdown?
The specific impact of a shutdown on national parks, which fall under the oversight of the Interior Department, is not entirely clear. The National Park Service is not currently commenting on contingency plans in case of a shutdown.
During the 2013 federal government shutdown, all 400-plus national park sites were closed. However, in 2018 and 2019, some parks remained partially open, although they did not operate normally.
“We witnessed unnecessary damage to resources and wildlife because parks were left open without adequate staff,” said Angela Gonzales, Associate Director of Communications at the National Parks Conservation Association. She mentioned overflowing trash cans, vandalism, and looting in parks.
Given the uncertainty, if there is a shutdown, it is advisable to check the specific park’s website or social media for updates. However, keep in mind that these platforms may not be regularly updated due to furloughed employees. If you do visit a park or site, do not expect access to restrooms or visitor centers.
Can I obtain a passport during a government shutdown?
Passport processing is expected to continue during a shutdown. Passports are handled by the State Department, and their contingency plans state that consular operations, including passports and visas, will remain operational with sufficient fees to support them.
However, it is worth noting that a government shutdown may further delay processing times. Currently, the State Department estimates that a routine passport application takes 10 to 13 weeks. Therefore, it is advisable to give yourself a cushion of six months before an international trip.
Is it possible to obtain Global Entry and TSA PreCheck during a shutdown?
Applications for TSA PreCheck will continue to be accepted during a government shutdown since it is a fee-funded program. However, Global Entry is a different story. During the 2018 to 2019 shutdown, Global Entry appointments at some enrollment centers were canceled without a rescheduled date. This could be particularly problematic for new applicants due to the existing backlog of Global Entry applications. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is still working through this backlog.
The article How a Government Shutdown Could Affect Travel originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
