‘It’s literally a zoo’: Staff describe chaos at Bush Airport amid government shutdown
The government shutdown is being felt inside Houston’s airports, where Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees continue screening passengers without pay.
The government shutdown is being felt inside Houston’s airports, where Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees continue screening passengers without pay.
One airport worker, who asked not to be named, described the scene at Bush Intercontinental Airport as chaotic.
“It’s literally a zoo in Terminal C,” she told KPRC 2’s Zorrie Jones. “And we are trying our best but the passengers think we’re not working.”
She added that some TSA lanes have been closed, making it even harder to keep up with the rush of passengers.
“(TSA workers) will get paid eventually, but I mean, who wants to be working and not get paid?” the worker said.
The worker said staffing is stretched thin and tensions are running high as travelers deal with longer waits while airport staff try to keep things moving.
Part of the congestion at Terminal C is also tied to the ongoing closure of Terminal B. According to the Houston Airport System, beginning January 21, 2025, the IAH Terminal B Ticketing Lobby will be temporarily closed until late 2026.
During this time, all Terminal B passengers must check in, drop bags, and clear TSA screening at Terminal C, while United Airlines gates B3–B31 remain operational. This has funneled more travelers into Terminal C, adding to the already heavy workload for TSA officers.
TSA response
KPRC 2 News reached out to the TSA for comment. As of this writing, the agency has not responded.
Why is this happening?
The shutdown began Wednesday after President Donald Trump and Congress couldn’t agree on funding government services. As a result, thousands of federal employees, including TSA officers at airports nationwide, are working without pay until lawmakers reach a deal to reopen the government.
Has this happened before?
Yes. Back in late 2018 and early 2019, the U.S. went through the longest government shutdown in history — 35 days during President Trump’s first term.
That shutdown also caused major ripple effects at airports, with TSA workers calling out in large numbers and passengers reporting significant delays.
Here in Houston, travelers might remember January 2019, when staffing shortages forced the closure of the TSA security checkpoint and ticketing counter in Terminal B at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
The checkpoint originally shut down on January 13, 2019, with passengers rerouted to Terminals C or E. It didn’t reopen until January 30, 2019.
For Houston travelers, airport staff warn that if this shutdown drags on, the situation could affect not only Bush but also Hobby, and it could get worse before it gets better.
