As another potential government shutdown looms, many are wondering if it will affect their travel plans if it does happen.
In a word, no. At least, not in the near term.
Airlines and cruise lines are privately owned. Your flight or crews should go on with little to no disruption. But if it does come to pass that there is a government shutdown, it could peripherally affect the travel industry.
Think about it for a moment.
The Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration, for instance, are both overseen by the government. For the most part, however, their employees do not work for the government. Those agencies won’t shut down, but they could be slowed down.
For instance, the reauthorization bill for the FAA is coming up. If the government shuts down, there is no Congress. And without congressional members, there is no reauthorization to vote on. Oh, they will still operate as they are considered essential employment to keep the country moving. But anybody who works for the government will not be paid, even though they will still do their respective jobs.
Funding, including salaries, would be on hold for government employees. Things like air traffic control will continue, and you will still be able to use your passport. That doesn’t mean a shutdown won’t be costly to the industry, however. An analysis by the U.S. Travel Association showed that the industry could lose $140 million per day in the event of a shutdown.
Included in that analysis is that many people will be leery to travel during a shutdown.
What travelers need to know most is that if the government shuts down, they should pack their patience. A long shutdown could result in residual effects that cause problems in the industry.
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