While commercial flights continue to operate as normal, TSA warned travelers to expect longer wait times at airports as a result of the government shutdown. Both TSA and air traffic control remain in operation, as they are classified as essential workers, but employees for both will not be paid while the shutdown remains in effect.

The TSA stated about 61,000 of the agency’s 64,000 employees were considered exempt or excepted.

One change travelers might notice is the pause in updates of real-time security wait times on TSA’s official app, MyTSA. According to the official TSA website, the website and app will “not be managed” while the shutdown continues, the last update appearing Sept. 30. Many airports, however, show updated security wait times separate from TSA. Some, like Los Angeles International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and Orlando International Airport, display security wait times on their respective websites, as well.

Several airports across the country also experience staffing issues, causing more delays. According to Reuters, there has been a subtle increase in employees calling out sick since the shutdown began, affecting airports in Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (PHX) and Newark (EWR). In fact, Hollywood Burbank Airport air traffic control tower was briefly unmanned Oct. 13 due to staffing shortages, as reported by Los Angeles Times.

Some U.S. airports will not broadcast a video from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that addresses the government shutdown and explains the lapse in federal funding, citing the video as “political,” according to several reports. The video has aired at other airports since Oct. 9, according to Reuters.

Have you noticed any changes in air travel since the government shutdown? Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.