Will TSA staffing issues affect your flight to Belize?

Dreaming of a quick spring break getaway to Belize? Think again, because you might not even get to leave the airport. The U.S. has entered yet another government shutdown, the previous one lasting 43 days. It is worth noting that this time, it’s labeled as a ‘partial government shutdown,’ meaning some funds have been allocated for certain programs like SNAP and WIC.

However, other government agencies will be affected, such as the Department of Defense and, most importantly for travelers, the Transportation Security Administration. While experts are hoping this time it won’t last that long, there are still some things to take heed of. For example, what does this now mean for traveling?

Since TSA is government-funded, it means that during a government shutdown, none of the workers are able to receive pay. This is similar to when, in the previous shutdown, there weren’t any Air Traffic Controllers. So almost 1,500 flights were canceled in just the second day of the shutdown.

Some Air Traffic Controllers and TSA agents still choose to go to work, but it means they are working without pay. Therefore, more and more agents are refusing to go to work. This is where the problem lies for travelers. Because of the small number of T.S.A. agents, it takes longer to screen travelers through the security process. This has led to lines that last over two hours in major airport hubs, like in Houston (HOU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Atlanta (ATL), and New York (LGA and JFK). All of these are major hubs with flights to Belize. It’s no surprise that many Belize travelers have missed their flights because of the delays.

As of today, The New York Times reported that over 37% of T.S.A. agents in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International did not show up to work on Monday, March 16. In New York, JFK airport noted more than 30% workers absent and LaGuardia with 20%. Most shocking of all, at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, 55% of T.S.A. agents did not come in to work on Saturday. This is especially concerning since Hobby Airport to Belize City only runs on Saturdays and Sundays with Southwest Airlines.

There are some bypasses to this entire ordeal. First, if you haven’t bought your flights yet, it should be worth checking if you can fly from an airport that doesn’t use federal T.S.A. employees. While around 20 major airport hubs are contracted with the federal government, a notable airport that does not have federal employees is the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). This airport has one flight a day to Belize City.

Another tip is to arrive at the airport earlier than usual. Forget the two-hour advisory; it would be best to arrive between three and five hours early, depending on which airport. For example, William P. Hobby Airport issued a press release advising travelers to arrive four to five hours early and expect to wait as long as 180 minutes to get through the screening process. For further help. You can check this website to see wait times for Hobby Airport in real time. You can also download the MyTSA mobile app for more updates.

While Belize may be a small country compared to the U.S., it’s still getting affected. In a Facebook group called Belize Vacation Tips & Pics, one user asked if travelers have been affected by the shutdown. 

One user shares, “There was a huge line in Houston we heard from the passengers who were originating in Houston. Some barely made the flight to Belize and one didn’t. They had to remove their luggage as we waited in the Tarmac. They did send a message to the passengers to get there super early due to longer lines.” 

“Coming back from Belize was a nightmare last week. We waited in a line that wrapped around the airport in Houston. They delayed our connecting flight so thankfully we made it home,” another says.

Others reported delays and cancellations due to weather, so it is worth also bearing these variables in mind.