As the U.S. government shutdown stretches beyond 40 days, the longest in history, the ripple effects are showing up almost everywhere. This Monday, November 10, the Senate approved a deal to end the halt, but it will remain in place until President Trump signs the bill into law.
As a result of the shutdown, however, more than 1 million government workers have gone unpaid, including airport security staff.
Travelers have certainly noticed the strain, and one recent viral TikTok captured how chaotic things may have gotten.
2 Women Decide They’ve Waited Long Enough
TikTok creator Taylor (@tayontherox) posted a video that now has over 12.9 million views, showing two women stepping in after waiting too long for their bags to arrive.
In the clip, the women climb over the baggage chute and begin unloading suitcases themselves, pulling them one by one onto the carousel while everyone else watches.
“What government shutdown?? These local baddies said we’ll do it ourselves,” Taylor wrote in the on-screen text.
Moments later, a security worker shows up and starts speaking to them sternly. “Getting yelled at by this lazy-a– security,” Taylor added. Despite the confrontation, the women eventually climb down, grab their luggage, and start to leave.
“Never wait on a gov employee to do a pissed off traveler’s job,” Taylor added in the caption.
Can They Actually Get In Trouble For That?
Technically, yes. Climbing into restricted airport areas can count as trespassing, which is a misdemeanor offense. Under federal law, the fine could reach $1,500, and penalties can include up to a year in jail, though most first-time cases end in probation.
Even so, it’s not clear whether security at the airport took any further action. The video ends without showing any arrests or detainment, and the women appear to leave freely.
Were Baggage Handlers Affected By The Shutdown?
While the shutdown has left federal workers like TSA agents unpaid, most baggage handlers are not government employees. They usually work for private companies or individual airlines. That means the luggage delay likely had more to do with airport staffing or mechanical issues than the government shutdown itself.
Still, with fewer TSA workers on duty nationwide, slowdowns and miscommunications have become more common. Whether the conveyor belt malfunctioned, staff were missing, or schedules were backed up, passengers at this airport had apparently waited long enough to lose patience.
@tayontherox never wait on a gov employee to do a pissed off travelers job
‘THE MEN STANDING AROUND WAITING FOR THEIR BAGS????’
In the comments, users zeroed in on one part of the clip. And it wasn’t the luggage. It was the crowd.
“THE MEN STANDING AROUND WAITING FOR THEIR BAGS??????” one person exclaimed.
Another chimed in, “Just two eldest daughters trying to help the family and keep the peace.”
Others shared similar frustration: “Why are the men not … you know what I’m tired.”
Some users shifted focus to the security guard, criticizing how he handled the situation. “Security yelling at you then not even helping you down?! Pfffff,” one comment read.
Others, though, clarified that government workers weren’t to blame for the baggage delay at all. “Bags aren’t handled by the govt but by airline employees,” one user explained.
BroBible has reached out to Taylor via email for more information.