Traveling During the Government Shutdown: What to Expect
Traveling during the government shutdown wasn’t exactly on my bucket list — mostly because I didn’t even realize it was happening.
I’m notoriously bad at keeping up with the news, so when I flew from North Carolina to Oregon to cover their shiny new “Accessibility Verified” state designation, I thought it’d be business as usual.
Spoiler: it wasn’t.
On the way there through Pitt-Greenville Airport (PGV), things seemed normal — calm, efficient, and surprisingly quiet. But coming home was another story entirely. Congested airports, TSA lines that felt never-ending, and flight delays that had everyone glaring at the monitors..
If you’re wondering what it’s actually like to deal with airport delays during a government shutdown — whether you should cancel your trip, pack extra snacks, or just emotionally prepare — I’ve got you.
Here’s what really happens when the government stops working, but the airports don’t.
What Traveling During the Government Shutdown Actually Means
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This shutdown travel guide is based on what I experienced flying coast to coast while everything was moving slower — from TSA lines to park closures.
So here’s the deal — when the U.S. government shuts down, it doesn’t mean airports go dark or the borders close. It just means everything slows to a painstakingly slow crawl because the people keeping the system running are either furloughed or working unpaid.
Here’s how that plays out for travelers:
✈️ TSA & FAA
Still operating, but with fewer staff and longer waits. Security lines drag, and flight schedules get squeezed because fewer air traffic controllers are on shift.
🚆 Amtrak
Still rolling — just slower, like it’s emotionally processing the shutdown in real time. Unless your route depends on federal contractors, you’re probably fine. Probably.
🏞️ National Parks & Museums
When I was in Oregon, we missed out on a coastal park session because the park was closed due to the shutdown.
“Open” means you can technically go in, but it’s BYO-toilet paper for the bush wee and hope the wildlife isn’t feeling spicy. Don’t expect staff, clean trails, or working bathrooms. Plan accordingly.
🛂 Customs & Passports
Processing continues but slower. International travelers should expect delays that range from mildly irritating to “I live here now”.
I noticed all of this firsthand flying back from Redmond (RDM) to Raleigh (RDU) after the Travel Ability Summit. Lines moved at a snail’s pace, travelers were crankier than usual, and announcements about delays were as constant as the airport Starbucks line.
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What Travelers Need to Know Right Now
How TSA Works During a Government Shutdown (And What to Expect)
TSA officers are still showing up, but they’re doing it unpaid — which is why TSA wait times during a shutdown are longer and more unpredictable.
If you use TSA Cares or PRM Assist, confirm your requests ahead of time since staffing is thinner than usual. And whatever you do, keep your essentials — meds, mobility gear, and ID — in your carry-on. You don’t want to test your luck with a checked bag right now.
Government Shutdown Flight Delays: How to Prepare for the Chaos
Reuters states that with the FAA running on reduced staff, major airports are seeing about 10% fewer flights and a lot more schedule shuffling.
When I was waiting for my connecting flight from Charlotte to Portland, my flight was delayed three times and ended in me arriving in Portland 3 hours later than was projected.
Keep your airline app open — most rebookings show up there before the gate agents even make an announcement.
And remember: no one’s getting upgraded for yelling. A calm, kind traveler stands a better chance of landing a seat that doesn’t smell like sadness and middle-seat despair.
Traveling Internationally During a Shutdown: Customs and Passport Delays
Passport renewals and visa processing are still happening but at a glacial pace.
Customs and Border Patrol remain operational, just slower. If you’re re-entering the U.S., download the Mobile Passport Control app to shave off some time.
And if you rely on assistance or need extra time, plan your connections with plenty of cushion — this isn’t the moment for tight layovers or wishful thinking.
Hidden Ripple Effects No One Warns You About
Traveling during a government shutdown isn’t doomsday; it’s just travel with extra red tape and worse lighting. The little things pile up — literally and figuratively.
National Parks
Most parks technically stay open, but “open” means no rangers, no restrooms, no trash pickup.
During the 2018–2019 shutdown, piles of garbage and overflowing toilets made headlines — and it’s happening again this year in some areas where local volunteers haven’t stepped in yet.
Museums
Federal institutions like the Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art close completely when funding stops.
State- or city-run museums usually stay open since their budgets aren’t federal.
Accessibility
Confirm everything twice, and pack backups like it’s a survival mission. Shutdowns don’t care if your chair battery dies.
Expect slower responses for wheelchair assistance, security escorts, or passenger support.
Many of these workers fall under “essential but unpaid,” which means fewer staff actually show up, and those who do are stretched thin.
Mental Load
The unpredictability alone can wreck your sensory balance.
Delays, crowds, louder terminals — it’s a lot.
Shutdown travel is a test in managing expectations and accepting that the system is glitching in real time.
Shutdown Travel Tips: How to Keep Moving (and Stay Sane)
Think of this less as “surviving” travel and more like tactical patience.
Build buffer time everywhere — TSA lines, boarding, baggage claim, emotional stability. Everything takes longer when half the system is running on caffeine and “essential personnel”.
Book refundable flights, pack snacks like you’re preparing for the apocalypse, and download your maps before leaving Wi-Fi range. If you use mobility aids or just move at a slower pace, double your layovers.
You’ll thank yourself when your gate changes six times in thirty minutes.
Financial + Insurance Prep
Shutdowns make everything slower — especially refunds and rebookings. Most travel insurance doesn’t cover government shutdown chaos, so lean on credit cards that include trip delay or cancellation protection.
Keep a little cash on hand in case card systems lag, and screenshot every receipt like your sanity depends on it. Because right now, it kind of does.
Accessible Travel During a Government Shutdown
If you have accessibility needs, assume the usual systems are a bit… feral right now.
When I flew home from RDM, the wheelchair assistant was so busy, she just left me at the gate instead of staying with me while I had to grab food and the restroom. If you rely on PRM or mobility support, triple-confirm your requests, and be ready to self-advocate if things go sideways.
Accessible travel during a government shutdown comes with fewer support staff, slower response times, and more need for backup plans. Confirm your requests before your flight and get names when you can — it makes re-explaining things later slightly less soul-crushing.
Bring backup mobility gear (chargers, spare parts, meds) in your carry-on, not checked baggage. The odds of something getting lost increase when federal agencies are half-staffed.
And if you’re sensory-sensitive, airports during shutdowns are pure chaos — bright lights, long lines, everyone stress-sweating. Pack noise-canceling headphones, a sensory kit, and snacks for the long waits.
Mindset Survival Tips
You can’t control the government, the airlines, or the guy in front of you eating egg salad at 6 a.m. But you can control how you respond.
Go in expecting things to take longer, people to be grumpier, and patience to run out faster than boarding groups. Laugh when you can, rest when you can’t, and remember — travel chaos is temporary, but the story you’ll tell about it later is permanent.
Traveling with a disability during a government shutdown means more self-advocacy, less predictability, and a whole lot of deep breathing.
Resources That Still Work (Mostly)
Even when the government’s hitting snooze on half its responsibilities, a few things are still holding the line:
✅ TSA Cares
TSA Cares is still operating, just slower. Submit your request as soon as possible can and confirm it by phone before you fly.
✅ Wheel the World
Your best bet for verified accessibility listings. If you’re unsure what’s open or actually navigable right now, their platform can save you a headache (and a half-mile detour).
✅ Local Tourism Boards + Parks
Keep tabs on park hours, accessibility updates, and closures that might not make national news. Smaller, local orgs usually have the real scoop before anyone else.
✅ Department of Transportation’s Dashboard + FlightAware
Check the Department of Transportation’s Dashboard and FlightAware before you even leave home. They’ll tell you if your “on-time” flight is secretly being sacrificed to the shutdown gods.
✅ TSA & FAA
Lines are longer, agents are grumpier, and schedules are tighter thanks to fewer air traffic controllers. Welcome to the world’s most miserable game of hurry-up-and-wait.
Forget the official press releases. Twitter (X) and Facebook updates from these agencies will get you faster answers.
Frequently Asked Questions – Traveling During the Shutdown
If you’re still doom-scrolling for answers before your flight, you’re not alone. These are the questions I kept seeing (and asking) while navigating the chaos of traveling during the government shutdown — with straight answers, not press-release fluff.
1. How will TSA be affected during the government shutdown?
TSA still operates during a government shutdown, but officers often work without pay, which means longer lines and slower screenings. Expect fewer open lanes and stretched-thin staff.
2. Are flights being canceled because of the shutdown?
Yes — especially at major airports, where the FAA has reduced flight capacity due to staffing issues. Expect airport delays during a government shutdown to spike during peak hours.
3. Can I still visit national parks or museums during the shutdown?
Some national parks and museums remain open but without staff or services, while others close entirely. Check local updates before you go. Trails might be open, but bathrooms and visitor centers probably won’t be.
4. What should travelers with disabilities know before flying right now?
Travelers with disabilities should plan for longer waits and reduced assistance. TSA Cares is still operating but slower to respond. Call ahead for special assistance, bring medical documents, and keep everything you need within reach. Assume you’ll need to self-advocate more than usual.
5. Should I postpone my trip until the shutdown ends?
Not necessarily. Traveling during a government shutdown isn’t impossible — it’s just mildly chaotic. If your trip’s important and you’re flexible, go for it. Just build extra time into your schedule and confirm everything twice.
Keep Traveling — Even When the System’s Glitching
Shutdowns slow everything down — flights, support, patience — but they don’t have to ground your plans.
Whether you’re navigating TSA wait times during a shutdown, managing accessible travel needs, or just figuring out how to stay sane in chaotic airports, prep and perspective go a long way.
If you’re still building your confidence flying with a prosthetic or figuring out what accessible travel looks like when the system’s not running at full speed, you’re in the right place. I’ve been there, I’ve lived it — and I’m not about to stop now.
The government might shut down, but wanderlust doesn’t. Pack your patience, snacks, and sarcasm — travel always finds a way.
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