Flying Soon During a Shutdown? Your Game Plan
So you have your flight booked, cruise paid for or Hotel reservation on the ready. Your job has approved your vacation days and this government shutdown hits and you are unsure how to handle the next few days before and during travel. You’re glued to CNN and MSNBC seeing that TSA Callouts are already happening and the Air Traffic Controllers who have already been in the since the current administration took over and start “doge-ing” federal workers are doing the same. It is a stressful time so I hope this playbook helps!
The Week Before Your Flight
1) Confirm the Deets
Start by checking two things: your airline’s app and the FAA’s status page. The airline app shows if your schedule is sliding around. The FAA’s National Airspace System Status page shows airport delays and ground stops in real time. Bookmark both and peek at them a couple times a day. If you see lots of “staffing” delays at your departure or connection airport, start planning buffer time. (FAA NAS Status)
2) Your Rights if there is a delay
Nothing is worse than if your cruise is booked and your flight is delayed in the current circumstance even arriving may not be sufficient. Or to arrive in your bucket list destination 12 hours after you expected arrival time losing a whole day of sight-seeing,tours and money on a hotel that you aren’t using. Know that if tje airline cancels your flight or has a significant delay, you’re entitled to a cash refund for the unused parts of the ticket and any paid extras. You don’t have to accept a voucher if you don’t want one. Thanks to the DOT’s refund rule, that luckily has not been reversed as of yet; the airlines must process refunds automatically when they owe them. That takes some pressure off you if the schedule melts down. (Department of Transportation)
Quick note on what “significant delay” means: DOT has set clear thresholds in its rulemaking, and the agency explains that big schedule moves and cancellations trigger refund rights Usually this means delays of at least 3 hours for a US destination or 6 hours for an international location so be prepared with this website in your back pocket. (Federal Register)
3) Check the fare rules you actually bought
Some tickets, I don’t just mean that luxury sleep pod or lay flat seat have ditched change feels; meaning that you may be able to locate new dates to travel in the future incurring limited additional costs to your wallet. Check your Ticket contract or the Fare details on the receipt of Airline app and website this way you know you know the rules. Also remember that airlines know that delays will happen even if you booked basic economy ask your Airline, they may have waivers in place to limit/reduce the refunds that they will have to process later.
24 Hours Before: Build Yourself a Buffer
4) Rebook earlier if a waiver appears
When staffing is rough, airlines sometimes post travel waivers. These let you move to another flight with no change fee and sometimes no fare difference. If you see a waiver for your dates and route, jump to an earlier flight that day. That extra cushion can save your vacation. If there’s no waiver, weigh the risk and your fare rules before you move anything. (Department of Transportation)
5) Pack like lines will be long
Shutdowns don’t stop flights from operating, but they can stretch lines and slow everything down. Show up earlier than normal and now is not the time to try to get buy with 8 oz bottle of cologne or your lotions, potions and that eternal youth elixir sitting loose in your carry-on. If you have to bring liquids follow the 3-1-1 rule. Even if you are told to leave PCs in bag, or your don’t have to remove you shoes. Recent shutdown coverage shows delays stacking up at major hubs when staffing is thin. Plan as if you’ll be waiting and try to get in and out of TSA Lines with limited drama. . (Reuters)
Day Of Travel
6) Get live delay intel
I would encourage you keep alert with the app and FAA page the day before and day of travel; this way if the last minute changes that we expect to happen you are notified as early as possible. This way if you are checking the day before you can see if a lot of flights are cancelled, delayed or rerouted. Knowing that folks on the last flight to Vegas last night were delayed may prepare to be on a full or later flight today getting to those slot machines later in the day today.
7) Ask about EDCT holds if things freeze
If everything stops and the gate agent mentions a “ground delay program,” that means flights are being handed out specific wheels-up times. There’s a public FAA tool called EDCT Lookup where you can see if your flight has been assigned a slot. It’s a bit geeky, but it helps you understand whether you’re waiting 30 minutes or two hours. (FAA Flight Planning)
8) Keep expectations real
It is easier said then done; since I may not have spent that money that your vacation cost. But manage your expectations; remain in contact with any parties that you need to and ensure that expectations are set and you are aware of best steps. This is the cruise line, hotel so they are aware you may arrive early the day after your expected arrival or the airline if you had a connection. With the callouts all of the parties should be expecting issues.
If Your Flight Is Canceled Or Pushed Way Out
9) Choose refund or rebook, fast
If your flight gets canceled or pushed so far that it breaks your plans, you have two clean choices: rebook for free on the next available option, or take the cash refund and pivot. Decide quickly in the app before the good alternatives vanish. If you accept a refund, also ask for refunds of paid extras like seats and bags. The DOT’s rule covers those too. (Department of Transportation)
10) Ask nicely for cross-airline options
If flight delays or cancellations arise, be polite! In this scenario that Ticket agent has been the bearer of the worst reactions in their current history. Sometimes an airline has a partner that has a flight going to the same destination with seats open and they are not going to step out to help or prolong an interaction with someone who is rude; but that friendly and empathetic customer… They may be able to help the polite customer with the simple question is there anything you can do?
At The Airport
11) Treat security like a wildcard
Plan extra time for TSA when staffing is strained. As stated earlier, be prepared and ready. Pull your electronics out have your toiletries packed on top of your bag for the ease of getting to them and the be prepared to remove jackets, shoes and any other items that will stress both you and security out.
12) Snacks, chargers, patience
Shutdown travel is a slow-cooker situation. Bring snacks and a full battery pack. Set a calm mindset. Getting snippy doesn’t make the plane leave faster, and staff are stretched t
What If You Want To Cancel “Just In Case”?
13) Voluntary changes depend on the ticket
Prepare for that now! Confirm your flight fare rules; check that Vacation Calendar at work and find dates that work for you and your travel companions. Then call the airline or go on the app! Check prices; and ask once again being polite and empathetic to the plight of the customer service representative that answers can go a long way to getting you the assistance you need.
Hotels, Tours, Parks, Museums
14) Confirm what’s open
Shutdowns hit some federal sites like national parks and museums, and hours or services can change fast. If your trip is heavy on those, check each site’s alerts page the day before. If a big piece of your vacation is closed and your flights are flexible, move the trip using a waiver if one is up. If there’s no waiver and the flight is operating, your normal fare rules apply. (Department of Transportation)
Travel Insurance: What’s Usually Covered
Here’s how to think about insurance in a shutdown week.
15) Trip delay and interruption
If your airline causes a long delay or cancels due to staffing or ATC restrictions, that’s often considered a common carrier delay. Many policies can reimburse reasonable expenses after a set number of hours, like meals, a hotel night, and toiletries. They can also cover trip interruption if you lose a chunk of the trip because of a covered delay. Keep receipts and grab a note or screenshot that shows the reason for the delay. (Squaremouth Travel Insurance)
16) Missing a flight because security lines were long
This one stings. If you miss your flight because the TSA line crawled and you arrived too close to departure, most standard policies won’t cover it. Insurers see that as preventable. This is why you should show up early during shutdowns, even if it feels excessive. (Squaremouth Travel Insurance)
17) Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR)
If you bought CFAR as an add-on and you purchased it before the shutdown was a known event, you can usually cancel for personal reasons and get back a big chunk of your non-refundable costs, often 50–75%, depending on the policy. It’s pricey, but it’s the one tool that doesn’t care why you’re backing out. If CFAR isn’t on your policy already, you can’t add it now for this trip. (Squaremouth Travel Insurance)
18) Double coverage with the DOT rule
If you had both Insurance and a flight cancellation or major delay consider how to handle it; your insurance may cover only the expenses you incurred because of the delay such as an extra night in a hotel at your connection city; or it may cover more due to your travel interruption benefits. Your airline should refund you for the delay as well so figure out who will be easier to get the assistance you need. Also know that your travel insurer may have a separate service line for those who have started travel that is different than those who have not. (Department of Transportation)
Your Simple Playbook
Plan earlier, travel earlier, and be flexible. Use this checklist:
- Check your airline app and the FAA status page now, then again the morning of travel. (FAA NAS Status)
- If a waiver drops, shift to an earlier flight that day. (Department of Transportation)
- If your have a cancellation or significant delay have a decision in advance; if you want the voucher since you may end up taking the trip in December if you cant go now; get the voucher otherwise know that you are entitled to the cash refund (Department of Transportation)
- Know your fare rules. Standard economy often has no change fee, basic economy usually doesn’t budge. (Delta Airlines)
- Show up earlier than usual. Lines and staffing are unpredictable during shutdowns. (Reuters)
- Save receipts for any delay expenses. If it’s a common carrier delay or cancellation, your insurance may help. CFAR helps only if you bought it before all this. (Squaremouth Travel Insurance)
If you want, tell me your airline, fare type, and exact dates. I can scan your carrier’s current waiver page and help you sketch the least-stress plan for your trip.
