David Pekoske, the head of the TSA, tweeted that 95% of TSA employees are classified as essential workers and will work without pay in the event of a shutdown. Air traffic controllers are also considered essential employees and would be asked to work without pay. Federal employees would receive backpay after the shutdown ends.
If the government shuts down, it means they go home, not that they’re forced to work without pay.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2024/12/20/tsa-holiday-travelers-longer-airport-lines-shutdown/
Second time I’ve had to do this in this thread.