Pilots Don’t Mince Words As They Issue Stark Warning On Homeland Safety

WASHINGTON — Over a month into the Democrat-led Department of Homeland Security shutdown, the largest independent pilots union in the United States is calling for Congress to end the shutdown and pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers.

“Congress must act immediately to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown and ensure TSA officers are paid,” Allied Pilots Association President First Officer Nick Silva said in a statement first obtained by The Daily Wire. “These dedicated professionals show up every day to protect the traveling public and maintain the safety of our National Airspace System.”

“Forcing them to work without pay is unsustainable and puts both efficiency and security at risk,” he added. “Supporting TSA is essential to keeping our aviation system safe, reliable, and moving.”

That statement comes after Airlines for America President and CEO Chris Sununu similarly called for an end to the shutdown on March 9, saying: “More than 2.7 million people cleared through TSA yesterday, but too many had to wait in extraordinarily long—and painfully slow—lines at checkpoints. It’s unacceptable to have wait times of 2 or 3 hours. And it’s unacceptable that TSA officers will have $0 in their paychecks this week.”

Since the shutdown began, over thirty days ago, more than 300 TSA officers have quit their jobs, CBS News reports. TSA officers have begun calling out at increasing rates, causing long security lines across the nation. Half the officers at Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas, have called out, according to CBS.

Airline passengers wait in long lines to get through the TSA security screening at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Sunday, March 8, 2026.  (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

TSA statistics covered by the publication show that the nationwide callout rate rose to an average of 6% during this DHS shutdown, though that rate climbed to 9% on February 23 and 8% on March 6. That compares to the 2% callout rate before the shutdown began.

As the shutdown continues, officers are reporting that they are struggling to cover basic expenses, including rent and childcare, according to the Department of Homeland Security. One TSA officer faces eviction after missing his first full paycheck, and another, who is a cancer patient, is unable to keep up with insurance copays.

Some TSA officers are even sleeping in their cars at the airport, The Daily Wire has learned, in order to save on gas money and other costs while they continue to work without pay.

The surge in unscheduled absences is due in part to TSA officers taking second jobs to make ends meet, DHS shared. Many workers had not yet recovered from the last two shutdowns, since this is the third shutdown they have faced during the past 15 months.

According to the White House, over 100,000 DHS workers missed their full paychecks last week due to the shutdown, amounting to about $1 billion in unpaid wages each month. The White House says the shutdown has caused at least $2.5 billion in losses thus far.

At the same time, The Daily Wire reported on Monday, DHS staff who investigate terrorism are not being paid due to the ongoing, partial government shutdown – 80% of the Office of Intelligence & Analysis is working without pay while they defend the United States on the home front, a Homeland Security spokesman told The Daily Wire.

That department is the primary office tracking terrorism and threats, and specializes in sharing intelligence and analysis to “identify and mitigate threats to the homeland.” A DHS spokesman told The Daily Wire that “Democrats are shamelessly playing politics with national security.”

“DHS shares timely and actionable intelligence from the intelligence community to state and local governments to ensure they are aware of any emerging threats to keep their communities safe,” the spokesman explained. “With major events such as America 250 and the World Cup coming up, along with the numerous threats our nation must be prepared for, DHS needs to be fully funded as soon as possible to ensure the safety and security of the homeland.”