What to know about passenger rights amid government shutdown

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — As the federal government shutdown enters its second week, and essential airport workers continue to work without pay, officials urge travelers to know their passenger rights.

Pack your patience -- it's a saying travelers hear every time a busy holiday weekend approaches. However, on the second week of a government shutdown, this message is echoed.

TSA workers and air traffic controllers are considered essential workers and are currently working without pay as the federal government has not reopened. As days go by, experts and union leaders warn about workers calling out, increasing staffing concerns.

The good news is, there are options travelers have to avoid potential problems with cancellations and delays.

Preparation starts before you arrive to the airport, be sure to check with your airline and visit the FAA website to know about any widespread outages or delays.

If your flight is canceled when you arrive, your best bet is to check with the customer service desk to get on the next available flight. Keep in mind, airlines are not required to rebook you using another airline.

If your flight is canceled and you no longer want to take the trip or found another way, you are legally entitled to a refund. However, if you are stranded, airlines are not required to provide additional compensation for meals and hotels.

Cancellation and delay options vary from company to company. The U.S. Department of Transportation provides travelers with the commitments each major airline is required to make.

Travel changes can be a headache, however, according to the U.S. Travel Association, the travel economy is taking a big hit with an estimated $1 billion in spending each week since the government shutdown.

“This shutdown is doing real, irreversible damage,” said Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “Travelers are facing longer TSA lines and flight delays. Airports are reducing flights and we’ve seen entire control towers go dark. The longer this drags on, the worse the cascade of damage will be—for local communities, for small businesses and for the country. Congress needs to act now and reopen the government.”