While the prospect of an October U.S. government shutdown seems less likely thanks to a recent agreement to fund the federal government, the shutdown may become reality come November when the funding expires. When the funding expires on Nov. 17, the chances of another budget standoff in Congress increase. So, what could happen if the government officially shuts down? And what does this mean for travelers this fall?

The timing could be the most crucial part. Should the government shut down, travelers on Thanksgiving holiday will face major delays in airports. While a shutdown still keeps airports open and air traffic controllers, TSA agents and other federal workers in the air travel industry employed, they won’t actually be paid until the shutdown ends. This means many workers might call in sick or find other means to avoid work. After all, can you blame employees working during peak travel times if they can’t even be paid for their hard work?

Unfortunately, this spells many likely travel disasters for travelers across the country. Looking at past government shutdowns in 2018 and 2019, they point to a bleak time for travelers. Even without the shutdown, travel during Thanksgiving and the winter season often sees delays and other travel-related issues with the increased demand.

For those planning to travel this November, it’s important to have backup plans laid out should travels be interrupted. Travelers needing passport services are recommended to get it done as soon as possible, as slow processing times during the potential shutdown are also expected.

Air travel isn’t the only thing facing great consequences from the potential shutdown. National parks and monuments expect negative and drastic results. The Department of the Interior warned the entrances to many national parks could have been blocked, with thousands of park rangers furloughed, if Congress had not reached an agreement this past week.

On Sept. 29, the Department of the Interior released a statement, “In the event of a lapse in annual government appropriations, National Park Service (NPS) sites will be closed. This means that the majority of national parks will be closed completely to public access. Areas that, by their nature, are physically accessible to the public will face significantly reduced visitor services.”

Currently, sights are set on November and what this might mean for national parks once more when the funding expires. For now, nearly 2.2 million federal workers have been spared immediate impact on finances after the recent agreement, but the prospect of facing these same problems still looms.

Would the shutdown (had it gone through last week) have affected you or your travels? What do you worry about most should the shutdown go through in November?

Tell us your thoughts. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.