The Skift Podcast

Three-hour airport lines. TSA agents not showing up. Ground stops at major airports. All in the same week. In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Sarah Kopit is joined by Skift Managing Editor Lex Haris to unpack what may be the clearest signal yet that the U.S. travel system is under real strain. They break down how a partial government shutdown is impacting TSA staffing, why some airports are seeing massive wait times while others are operating normally, and how unpredictable the experience has become for travelers. The conversation goes beyond the headlines to explore what happens when multiple pressures hit the system at once — record spring break demand, staffing shortages, operational incidents, and ongoing political uncertainty. They also examine the business side: why some airlines like United say they’re well positioned to weather the chaos, while others may struggle if conditions worsen. And with global events and international travel sentiment in the mix, the ripple effects could extend