Logan Airport Mobilizes Response to TSA Staffing Crisis
25 TSA officers quit Logan Airport after working without pay for over a month during shutdown
Logan Airport TSA Loses 25 Officers in Shutdown
Logan Airport's security screening operations face mounting pressure as 25 TSA officers have quit since a federal government shutdown began February 14, 2026. The departures represent roughly 2 percent of Logan's TSA workforce of 1,000 to 1,100 officers, according to union officials. Officers have been working without pay for over a month, with their last full paycheck received February 14.
Financial Pressure Drives Workforce Exodus
The shutdown has created financial hardship for TSA officers who need regular paychecks to support their families, union officials said. By mid-March, more than 30 TSA workers across New England had left their jobs, with departures occurring at roughly one per day across regional airports. Nationwide, nearly 500 TSA officers have resigned since the shutdown began. TSA officers are classified as essential employees required to work during government shutdowns despite not receiving pay until funding resumes.
Sick Callouts Compound Staffing Crisis
In addition to resignations, many TSA officers are calling out sick, with national callout rates exceeding 10 percent of the total workforce in recent days. On one Sunday in late March, the national callout rate reached 11.75 percent, the highest rate of the shutdown. Some airports, including Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, experienced callout rates as high as 40 percent. The combined impact of resignations and callouts has strained security screening operations at airports nationwide.
Federal Response Deploys ICE Officers
President Trump deployed hundreds of ICE officers to several airports around the country to address staffing shortages caused by TSA departures and callouts. The deployment represents an emergency measure to maintain security screening capacity during the shutdown. Officials haven't said how long the ICE officers will remain at airports or whether additional federal personnel will be deployed if the shutdown continues.
Travelers Face Potential Delays
Passengers traveling through Logan Airport and other New England airports should expect potential delays at security checkpoints as TSA works with reduced staffing levels. The agency hasn't provided specific guidance on how much extra time travelers should allow for screening. Moovit provides real-time updates for ground transportation connections to Logan Airport and other regional airports affected by the staffing changes.
