The Shutdown Is Over. The Chaos Isn't.

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history officially ended on Wednesday, November 13, 2025, when President Trump signed the reopening bill. Airlines and travelers breathed a collective sigh of relief—but if you're flying for Thanksgiving, don't relax just yet.

The shutdown may be over, but its impact on air travel is far from resolved. TSA officers worked without pay for six weeks. Air traffic controllers retired at unprecedented rates. Airport security technology upgrades were postponed. And now, with 31 million passengers expected to fly between November 21 and December 1, the system is being stress-tested like never before.

Here's what you need to know—and how to protect your holiday travel plans.

By the Numbers: The Post-Shutdown Reality

These aren't projections—they're early indicators of what Thanksgiving travelers are walking into. During the shutdown, wait times at major airports surged past 2 hours at Houston, LAX, and Orlando. Now, with holiday travel volume layered on top of staffing shortages, the TSA is projecting wait times of 30+ minutes at standard checkpoints and warning travelers to arrive earlier than ever.

What Changed (And What Didn't Bounce Back)

1. TSA Staffing Shortages Are Real—and Persistent

During the shutdown, TSA officers worked without pay for six weeks. Many called out sick. Some quit altogether. Even with the government reopened, morale issues persist, and callout rates remain elevated at major hubs like Atlanta, Houston, and Charlotte.

Acting TSA Administrator Adam Stahl warned travelers during the shutdown: "This is going to get worse, particularly with wait times and significant inconvenience for passengers… particularly with Thanksgiving and the holidays coming right around the corner."

Translation: TSA is doing its best, but they're short-staffed heading into the busiest travel week of the year.

2. Air Traffic Controller Crisis

Before the shutdown, an average of 4 air traffic controllers retired each day. During the shutdown? That number jumped to 15-20 per day, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

This mass exodus means fewer controllers managing the same (or higher) flight volume during peak travel. The FAA had to implement emergency flight reduction orders at 40 major airports during the shutdown—and while those orders were lifted on November 17, the underlying staffing issues haven't been resolved.

"This is going to live on in air travel well beyond the timeframe that this government opens back up." — Secretary Sean Duffy, U.S. Department of Transportation

3. Equipment Maintenance and Technology Rollout Delays

Airport security technology upgrades—including the rollout of new CT scanners that would eliminate the 3-1-1 liquids rule—were postponed during the shutdown. Maintenance on existing screening equipment was also delayed, meaning potential equipment failures during the busiest travel week.

Bottom line: Don't expect the airport experience to feel "normal" just because the shutdown ended. The infrastructure is still catching up.

The Thanksgiving Travel Surge: What to Expect

Airlines are expecting 31 million passengers between November 21 and December 1. TSA projects the three busiest days will be:

The Sunday after Thanksgiving (December 1) could break the all-time record for busiest travel day in U.S. aviation history. If you're flying that day, treat it like a combat mission: arrive early, have backup plans, and expect delays.

7 Tactical Strategies to Survive Post-Shutdown Holiday Travel

The shutdown exposed how fragile our travel infrastructure really is. Smart travelers aren't hoping for smooth sailing—they're preparing for disruption. Here's how to stay ahead:

1. Arrive Earlier Than "Early" TSA recommends arriving 2 hours early for domestic flights and 3 hours for international. For Thanksgiving week? Add 30-45 minutes to that. Seriously. Airports like Miami, LAX, and JFK are already seeing 50+ minute wait times on normal days. On Wednesday, November 27? Plan for 90+ minutes at security alone.
2. Use Real-Time Tools (They're Finally Working Again) The MyTSA app wasn't reliable during the shutdown, but it's back online now. Use it to check current wait times at your specific airport before you leave home. Better yet, use Traversatile's TSA Smart Checker to get personalized prep tips based on your departure airport and travel date.
3. Skip TSA PreCheck Applications (If You Don't Have It Already) The shutdown created a massive backlog in TSA PreCheck and Global Entry applications. Processing times are now 8-12 weeks. If you don't already have PreCheck, you won't get it in time for Thanksgiving. Don't waste your time applying now—focus on optimizing your standard security experience instead.
4. Pack for Inevitable Delays Flight cancellations during the shutdown affected 3.5 million travelers. While operations have improved, delays are still likely during peak travel days. Pack essentials in your carry-on:
   • Portable charger (must be in carry-on per March 2025 rules)
   • Snacks (TSA-compliant, no liquids/gels)
   • Change of clothes
   • Medications and prescriptions
   • Entertainment (downloaded content, not streaming)
5. Monitor Flight Status Obsessively Download your airline's app and enable push notifications. Use third-party tracking apps like FlightAware or Flighty. Check your flight status every few hours in the 24 hours before departure. If delays or cancellations start, you'll want to rebook immediately—not after you're already at the airport.
6. Avoid Peak Travel Times If Possible If you have ANY flexibility, fly early morning (before 7am) or late night (after 9pm). Mid-day flights on Wednesday, November 27 and Sunday, December 1 will be absolute chaos. If you can fly Monday, November 25 or Tuesday morning instead of Wednesday, you'll save yourself hours of stress.
7. Have Backup Travel Plans Book nonstop flights when possible. If you must connect, build in 3+ hours of layover time. Know your airline's rebooking policy before you travel. Research alternative flights and even alternative airports (e.g., if flying into NYC, consider Newark or Islip as backups to JFK/LaGuardia).

What Traversatile Tools Can Help

We built Traversatile specifically for situations like this—when travel gets chaotic and travelers need intelligence, not just gear. Here's how our tools can help you navigate post-shutdown holiday travel:

🔍 TSA Smart Checker

Get real-time information about your specific airport's TSA rules, current wait times, and what items you can/can't bring. The Smart Checker considers your departure airport, airline, and travel date to give you personalized prep tips. During peak travel, this tool can save you 30+ minutes by helping you pack correctly the first time.

💰 Baggage Fee Calculator

Airlines are charging $45+ per checked bag during peak travel. Our calculator helps you compare fees across airlines and figure out if paying for a checked bag is worth it—or if you should optimize your carry-on strategy instead. During Thanksgiving week, avoiding checked bag fees can save you both money and time (no waiting at baggage claim).

🎒 SmartPac AI

Our AI-powered packing assistant considers TSA rules, your destination, trip length, and current travel conditions to recommend exactly what to pack (and what to leave behind). For post-shutdown travel, SmartPac AI prioritizes essentials you'll need if flights are delayed or canceled.

The Honest Truth About Holiday Travel 2025

Let's be real: Thanksgiving travel was already going to be chaotic. The shutdown just made it worse.

TSA is understaffed. Air traffic controllers are burnt out. Airport equipment needs maintenance. And 31 million people are trying to fly in an 11-day window.

The system is fragile right now. And it's going to be tested like never before.

But here's what you can control:

You can show up prepared. You can pack smart. You can arrive early. You can monitor your flight. You can have backup plans. You can stay calm when (not if) things go wrong.

The shutdown exposed just how dependent we are on federal workers who keep air travel running smoothly. The least we can do as travelers is make their jobs a little easier by being prepared, patient, and understanding.

"Please go early, and please be patient with our TSA officers. They're doing the best they can under difficult circumstances." — Acting TSA Administrator Adam Stahl

They kept working without pay for six weeks. They deserve our patience and respect—especially during the holiday rush.

Final Thoughts: Preparation Beats Panic

The government shutdown is over, but its effects will ripple through holiday travel for weeks—maybe months—to come. Airlines, TSA, and the FAA are doing their best to recover, but travelers who prepare will fare far better than those who show up hoping for the best.

If you're flying between November 26 and December 1:

This isn't the holiday travel season anyone wanted. But with the right preparation and the right tools, you can still get where you're going—and maybe even keep your sanity in the process.

Safe travels, and happy Thanksgiving.