The line at Austin airport this morning.
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The comments show me people legitimately don’t know the government is shutdown and TSA isn’t getting paid. Wild. Edit: no it’s not the “same one” We had the one in December and it happened again Jan 28. It just didn’t get widespread coverage this time
Psst, not everyone here is American... >!Thank god!<
One of the top concert/festivals is in Austin TX, which is the real reason. ~300,000 people arriving and leaving at the same time.
This is not a US subreddit, though. So you shouldn’t assume everyone knows what’s happening there. Which is what I often see americans assume
But why?
I don't see the full answer here anywhere, so I'm going to mention it even if I'm a bit late to the thread. It is one of the current administration's goals to ultimately privatize TSA. This was laid out very specifically in Project 2025, and they are already a good chunk of t...
Trump
Eggs or milk?
LaGuardia terminal B line was 70 minutes at 7:30 this morning.
Sheesh, I went through SFO a few days ago with basically no line
Gatt DAMN!
What this line is only 70 minutes?
It’s almost as if we shouldn’t have elected an insane narcissist with dementia into the most powerful position in our country
Hindsight really is 20/20, huh?
Which one ? Raegan ? Bush? Trump? Biden? Trump again? People have selective memory but raegan was significantly more senile than Trump but your media absolved him as they have with bush and will with Biden and Trump.
Twice.
Ted Cruz's extended family during a storm?
haha
lol
Why would Joe Biden do this?
Did anybody even thank him?
Obama ordered him!
You guys joke but the MAGAts in Southern California have been posting on Nextdoor about high gas prices & blaming our governor for it. They are so dumb. It’s like you’re working on a group project with the dumbest assholes in your class.
People said they wanted him to run the country like his businesses and they’re getting exactly what they were promised!
Yep. We are officially a bankrupt shithole. Just like every single other business he has “owned”.
"This guy bankrupts his businesses and doesn't pay people, ruining their lives." "Sounds like he's going to run the country like a business too, I'm in!" The effort to undermine education in this country really paid off for the right huh.
Make America Late Again
Conveniently, MALA means "bad" in Spanish
Trump broke America.
Not surprising from a man who bankrupted a casino
Benedict Donald is America's most successful traitor.
Agreed, but he did it in his first term also yet Americans voted him in again.
Guy at the front looking back…..why yall in line for the bathroom
Is this the TSA PreCheck line...? Is a urine sample a new requirement?
Government shutdown and SXSW just started along with local schools spring break, locals get outta town this time of year
The airport is too small for the needs of Austin - which has only increased exponentially with the tech bros/festival boom. I think they're expanding though. Long overdue.
Sxsw starting wouldn’t affect security lines for leaving Austin.
I fly weekly for work. So far I’ve managed to dodge these particular airports but I know my time is coming. Absolutely zero things in America are better than they were 2 years ago. Zero
I would go as far as to say things are currently worse. Much worse.
We've hurt a lot of families. Does that count?
> Absolutely zero things in America are better than they were 2 years ago. That’s not true! Trump’s rich friends are much richer.

Batting .250
Shipping packages TO THE GROUND 
People traveling for spring break?
UT Austin spring break is 3/16-3/21 so this is actually correct
and government shutdown. perfect storm here
Texas voted for this!!!! Enjoy the consequences of your actions, y’all!!
Austin didn't.
TBF, this is Austin, which is pretty solidly blue, like all the big cities in Texas.
I don’t think Texans alone voted for this.
FYI - Across Donald Trump's two terms in office, there have been a total of six government shutdowns. His administration holds the records for both the longest total government shutdown and the most frequent funding lapses in the modern era. Zero under Biden.
Biden was a good leader. Is that the difference?
It’s almost like your country is run by morons.
And many pretend it isn't. That's what America is all about isn't it? Pretend, fake and lies but also be grossly offended if someone calls you a liar. Oh and money, everyone screwing everyone else over for a few dimes.
They would be so mad, if they could read
Almost…
All the money getting hoarded up in bunkers and such. No one getting paid. The threats of this Armageddon. Something is going on.
 The “Administration”
Obviously this is Biden’s fault.

This is the world we live in. Absolute shit show for government and most people aren't even paying attention Can't even tell people to wake up because now somehow they've convinced people that's a bad thing Stay ignorant I guess
Had no clue the government was still "shut down" Why are there anyone still working for free...
not still. this is another one. one at the end of 2025 and another at the beginning of 2026
We love this for you. ❤️ - The rest of the world.
We don't think about you at all 🤷♀️
Aye but you guys spend 11 billion in a week on bombs and your kings depends he shits himself in
Well I wont travel and show support. It’s definitely not because I can’t afford to fly.
That's not how a first world country operates, looks more like refugees trying to leave.
I don’t think a majority of these people are going to make their flights.. unless they are going in a couple days..
Naw I see that and cancel the trip. Not worth it even a little bit
Yep, and if I’m not home I’ll just get a job and live there until I can afford a car to drive home.
Is the diaper half empty or half full at this point
It's only half empty cause shit spilled everywhere
Spring break

I think at that point I would just go home. You ain’t getting on your flight.
If only America watched outside news instead of a channel that had to legally reclassify as "infotainment"
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God Bless and protect those airport employees from the wrath of those flyers they’re are about to receive. Amen.
It’s absurd that Hegseth can go on a 90+ billion spending spree, but these hard working people can’t get paid. Our priorities aren’t lining up with the values they all claim to represent. Pro-life means you give a d@mn when people are alive! What the efff is going on?! 😑
Don’t worry though, your congressman is still being paid
Always remember. Trump did that. and Trump was Epstein's buddy.

Chaos, very on-brand for this administration
Keep voting republican…
Ive seen enough. $10 Billion more to Israel.
All the Republicans have to do is give up funding their multi-billion dollar, US Citizen killing, paramilitary operation and life can go on as normal. All Republicans seem to do is spend, spend, spend.
with the direction things are headed in the middle east nobody will be able to afford to fly soon enough
Good on the TSA agents for not showing up
It's what you voted for, enjoy!
Failed state
If all of these people were smart they'd just get rich and use a private airfield or fly their own helicopter from their home. It's easy. Just become insanely rich guys. Come on.
So did everyone basically miss their flights or what?
Texas voted for this so….enjoy! You’re winning so much!! Look at all that winning!
I’ll remind everyone that republicans are holding the good functions of DHS hostage in order to get more funding for their paramilitary forces
Everything is broken or in the process of being broken
Tired of winning yet?
Thanks Trump.
Damn. I Hate third world countries
MSP and ATL were fine earlier this week, but heading to SFO tomorrow so we’ll see. Although I saw on this thread SFO has not really been affected as their screeners are not government employees - or are subcontracted or something?
What's below a 3rd world country?
Welcome to America, y'all.
I live close by, it surges. It's not like that all day. SXSW and spring break together is taking a toll on it, even downtown has a lot of events going on. This literally happens every year depending on when the dates match up. March is not a fun month here for traveling.
Nope. Vacation is canceled. Back in the car kids. I’ll take you to Chucky Cheese or something instead 😒
Sorry but what is the context? I'm from a faraway counrty called europe
US government is in a shut down so federal employees aren’t being paid, TSA are federal employees that do the safety checks on passengers and since they aren’t being paid, they’re not showing up and people can’t get onto a plane without getting through TSA.
This is what "OwNiNg ThE lIbS" looks like, I guess
Yknow what's a bad sign? The fact that this government shutdown has gone on for so long and I have completely forgotten about it.
if this is the cost of stopping ICE from purchasing any more warehouse for "detention centers" than so be it.
Just a reminder that the TSA agents are showing up to work without pay. Those that can’t afford to work for free are not going in. Call your reps.
Dumb question, but airport workers are not government workers right?
TSA are federal employees, and it seems like they are the first to have their pay cut when the government shuts down.
incorrect Well yes and no. TSA ARE government workers. But like, a Delta pilot isn't.
TSA are federal employees under the DHS. Kristi Noam got fired, she’s short timer’n it, though not as if she gave two shits while she had a future there.
They voted for this.
They say everything is bigger in Texas

Govt shutdown combined with large events.
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Well’p. TSA agents aren’t getting paid due to the shutdown. We’ve attacked Iran and started a needless war in the middle east. Gas is half again what it was two weeks ago. Pretty soon no one is going to be able to fly.
I respect ppl who are like - well I have TSA PRECHECK! well great - but that doesn’t fix the broken system - I mean what happens if we ALL have TSA precheck? Then this line moves to that one? I just miss the days when an airport was like a bus station - you show up - walk in -...
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The DHS has ample funding for TSA, OBBB got billions for them. This is just a strategy for manipulation. DHS is choosing this for optics.
Reminder: These people VOTED for this, this is literally what they wanted.
Thank republicans for shutting down parts of the government.
Republican controlled house Republican controlled Senate Republican controlled executive branch. Failure.
yet another Trump mess. not being political, just factual.

Trumps America.....so much winning.... 🥱
That is WILD
Good thing you Americans are paying taxes to bomb Iran. Who needs domestic flights anyways...
People like you act like all Americans are responsible for the actions of what the government does as if we gave the government the okay to do it. Like. Pull your head out of your ass.
Exactly Or medical care or education Trillions for the military!!
A lot of people in those lines are not gonna make their flights.
Why are we paying our politicians when simple Americans like TSA workers aren’t getting paid?
Welcome to republican 'leadership' and control of government...
our country is broken on every level
More MAGAt winning
Americans just accept living like this, too.
Went through San Jose on Wednesday and TSA line had NO ONE in line.
Where's everyone going? Bingo?
So much winning we don’t know what to do. I’m tired of winning
But I thought everything in America was better than anywhere else in the world?
Man I just went through Houston in under 10 minutes on Wednesday
TRUMPS FAULT WAKE UP
At this point it’s faster to just drive
I know it’s not the option for everyone. But if you have a choice I would just not fly right now.
Unfortunately it seems like it’s only going to get worse. No travel, high gas prices, at war , all those people in one place sitting ducks for all those crazies. Makes me miss the Covid lockdowns
I’m So sick of winning, please make it stop
All people fleeing the awful state of Texas?
Is this Obama’s fault or Biden’s? It’s hard to keep track.

Why is it so bad?
I don't get it
Is this domestic and international or does that not matter?
I need to know if LAX is like this I haven’t seen a report locally
Fuck ICE.
By 7 a.m. when I was at the airport lines had largely cleared out, and a couple of hours later they were completely deserted. TSA staffing was as-expected. In fact, I should add that a new checkpoint had even just opened! The ‘West Infill Project’ had completed and added a che...
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Shouldn't have voted for Trump ...
You guys leaving the US? Plz dont come to EU :)
I think I'll just drive...
# ABOLISH THE TSA
So this is what "winning" looks like. So much winning. 🤨
Everything is bigger in Texas! I guess they did this to make it longer.
They looking tired. So much winning?
I hate flying these days
Why? What’s going on to cause this? Or is that airport one of those “it’s just a horrible airport” airports?
Theres a shutdown right now over funding for DHS which is what TSA falls under. TSA agents arent getting paid and are quitting or calling off of work. This is happening at several airports around the country.
guess i am lucky for being too poor to travel
Is that for general security?
Worst part is the line for the Starbucks in the terminal is double the size
They voted for it
Umm...I'm out of the loop. What is the line for?
TSA folks calling out because funding lapsed for DHS. This is the check-in / security line
I’ve been through two major airports this week (MIA and DFW) and there was zero wait for Pre-Check at either. And the regular lines were normal.
Trump started a war during a government shut down? I don’t know a lot but I’m guessing that probably makes war harder?
“Thanks, but I’ll just walk”