Two of the United States’ largest airports are grappling with widespread cancellations and significant flight delays, a situation exacerbated by a severe storm and a shortage of TSA staff. This combination of factors has turned travel into a nightmare for many.

In Houston, Texas, weary travelers are finding themselves provided with cots as they face prolonged delays. Meanwhile, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, passengers are resorting to sleeping on the airport floor—if they can even get inside from the long lines snaking outside the terminal.

The turmoil stems from a partial government shutdown that began on February 14, leaving thousands of TSA workers without paychecks and leading to pronounced staffing shortages nationwide. The lack of compensation has prompted many TSA employees to call out sick or even resign, further straining security operations at airports.

According to reports from CBS News, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is experiencing the most significant staff shortages, with 38.8% of its TSA workforce calling out. Not far behind are Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), with absentee rates of 37.1% and 35.2%, respectively.

Adding to the chaos, the Midwest and East Coast have been hit by severe weather, including tornadoes, powerful winds, and large hailstones. These conditions have further contributed to the widespread flight disruptions, complicating travel plans for countless individuals.

Along with the shutdown, severe weather, including tornadoes, high winds, and ‘baseball-sized’ hail, has caused flight disruptions in parts of the Midwest and East Coast in recent days. 

Despite showing up at airports hours before their flights take off, travelers have found themselves trapped, spending hours in security lines and terminals. 

A dramatic video showed a slew of stranded travelers holed up inside George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) on Monday evening.

Stranded travelers are seen sleeping on cots at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Texas on Monday night after strong winds disrupted their flights

Flyers have been left waiting in massive lines for hours on end as the partial government shutdown continues, as well as severe weather that’s hit parts of the US in recent days. (Pictured: Lines of people packed inside Fort Lauderdale-International Airport)

The clip, posted by a TikTok user, showed people lying down on brown foldable sleeping cots that lined Terminal C. 

Many people covered themselves in blankets and created makeshift pillows with items that they had with them. 

When weather impacts air travel, it is up to the airlines to accommodate their passengers, a spokesperson with Houston Airports told the Daily Mail. 

‘In the event of weather-related disruptions or flight cancellations, individual airlines are responsible for providing passenger care,’ they said, adding that the area where people were seen sleeping is managed and leased by United Airlines. 

When contacted by the Daily Mail, United Airlines said that because of strong winds that night, the airline booked more than 700 hotel rooms and set up cots in the terminal for stranded flyers.

‘We’re restoring a reliable operation on Tuesday as we continue to move customers safely to their destinations,’ the spokesperson added. 

Frustrated travelers have shared their nightmares online, with one posting images of a packed Fort Lauderdale-International Airport on Tuesday afternoon. 

‘All I can say FLL & Mia is a mess. Canceled flights and delayed flights as well and on top of that TSA not getting paid,’ the Facebook user wrote. 

Crowded scenes inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Another user shared an image of the crowded interior of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), warning others to get there more than two hours ahead of time. 

‘Plan for 3 hours minimum. Current TSA wait time is over 125 minutes and the line is all the way to the baggage claim area with 6 lines leading to the main entrance. Absolutely crazy here,’ they wrote. 

A traveler flying out of Boise Airport in Idaho posted a similar image of a crowd of people at the security gate. 

‘The security line is obnoxious this AM. All the way through the terminal,’ they said. 

Meanwhile, Kelly Price was left stuck, sleeping on the floor as she tried to make her way back home to Colorado from Orlando, Florida, on Sunday night. 

It wasn’t until Monday morning that she was officially told her flight was canceled, Price told the Associated Press. 

‘By that time the only place for us to sleep was the airport floor. So we’re all tired and frustrated,’ she said. 

Price said the soonest she and her family could leave wasn’t until Tuesday afternoon. 

A traveler flying out of Boise Airport in Idaho posted a similar image of a crowd of people at the security gate. ‘The security line is obnoxious this AM. All the way through the terminal,’ they said

CEOs from ten airlines – Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines Group Inc, Alaska Air Group Inc, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways and United Parcel Service – signed a letter on Saturday calling for the end of the shutdown

Because only so many TSA staffers have decided to keep working without pay, some US airports have tried to implement fundraising efforts to help those who are showing up. 

Denver International Airport (DIA) is asking the public to send in $10 to $20 gift cards to give to the employees, including cards to grocery stores and gas stations. 

Secure lock boxes for the cards have been erected in the Great Hall of the Jeppeson Terminal and the Final Approach Cell Phone Lot at the airport. 

The city of Atlanta has adopted a similar strategy to try to help the unpaid TSA workers. 

TSA agents at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are now receiving two free meal vouchers each shift. They have also been given free MARTA rides and free parking. 

A majority of TSA workers across the country received a zero-dollar paycheck on Friday, and just two weeks earlier, they took home only partial pay. 

Travelers seen stuck waiting in a long line outside of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

The mounting delays prompted at least ten airline executives to sign a letter to the White House urging an end to the ‘simply unacceptable’ government shutdown. 

CEOs from ten airlines – Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines Group Inc, Alaska Air Group Inc, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways and United Parcel Service – signed a letter on Saturday calling for the end of the shutdown.

‘Americans – who live in your districts and home states – are tired of long lines at airports, travel delays and flight cancellations caused by shutdown after shutdown,’ the letter read.

‘Yet, once again, air travel is the political football amid another government shutdown,’ the CEOs said. A 43-day shutdown only last fall saw disruptions, delays and around 10 percent of flights cut at major airports by the Federal Aviation Administration.

‘This problem is solvable and there are solutions on the table.’