Travelers face delays and frustration as government shutdown impacts airports nationwide

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The ongoing government shutdown is causing delays and cancellations at airports across the country.

Fliers at the Lincoln Airport said this isn’t the kind of journey they expected.

“I was supposed to fly out a little bit before 3, and then I got a delay notification just 20 minutes before I was supposed to head out,” said Tresor McAllister. “I knew it was about to happen, especially since I’m going to Chicago.”

With the government shutdown stretching on, its effects are reaching more airports.

“On my way here, it was the other way around, from RDU to ORD to LNK, and I had a crazy delay because of what’s going on in Chicago, so I literally had to rush to my gate,” McAllister said.

One woman spoke with Channel 8 and said she received a notification that her flight to Chicago is delayed, leaving her only 5 minutes to get to her connecting flight once she arrives.

Essential employees like TSA agents and air traffic controllers are still working — but without pay — leaving many stretched thin.

Travelers like McAllister said it’s best to stay patient because TSA and flight attendants are going through enough.

“I try to stay patient, it’s already enough with everyone else feeling stressed and fussing and getting mad at the flight attendants and people at the desk and all that stuff,” he said. “It’s just above their heads.”

McAllister said he understands the strain, but he’s also worried about what happens if this continues.

“You really hope that you don’t have to get used to it.”