Amar Lahad

It has only been a few months since the record 43-day shutdown last fall, and now TSA employees must work without a paycheck again.

Tom Smith is an economist at Emory University.

Smith says that could lead to delays and major inconveniences for passengers.

The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 47,000 transportation security officers, has not responded to a request for comment.

For NPR News, Amar Lahad in Atlanta.