A lone traveler passes through a nearly deserted TSA screening at Orlando International Airport on October 9, 2024, as Hurricane Milton approaches. A looming government shutdown threatens the peak holiday travel season, with lawmakers failing to agree on a funding bill. Without a deal, hundreds of thousands of federal employees could be furloughed, costing the travel industry an estimated $1 billion weekly. While commercial flights are expected to continue, TSA personnel will work without pay, potentially leading to longer wait times. The TSA anticipates screening over 40 million travelers during the holidays, despite past shutdown delays impacting travel.
