November 4, 2025
First of all, it was a little bit of a sad weekend start to hear that SNAP benefits are still not distributed via the emergency funding. 42 million Americans benefit from this program. Regardless of any political views, I think we can all agree that NO Americans should ever have to go without food. On a lighter note, I was totally uplifted by some businesses such as Wooden Paddle who will give free lunch to anyone who is unable to access SNAP benefits. I donated to them and hope many affected will be able to utilize their offer. Companies like Wooden Paddle remind us of the strength and resourcefulness of our communities — people stepping up, supporting one another, and finding creative ways to keep things moving.
Government shutdown has been shaking up many industries, and the travel sector is an area I am keeping my eye on. Today, November 4th, marks Day 35 of the shutdown. Unreliability is now the norm.
The key risks are longer TSA lines & delayed flights. Both are due to staffing challenges; the latter is an issue compounded by a previous shortage of air-traffic controllers. Government shutdown has meant no new hires to fill the unmet need. Further, air-traffic controllers are going without paychecks during the shutdown, causing financial strain & stress on them. Today in Houston, there were reports of security lines taking 3+ hours.
What can be done if you are traveling in the next month:
- Give yourself extra time at the airport. 2.5+ hours for domestic flights, 3.5+ hours for international flights. Adjust your expectations. Be kind to staff, many of which who are working without a paycheck.
- Avoid flights requiring a connection if a direct flight is available.
- If connection is necessary, choose the connection that gives you plenty of time.
- Know your rights. The US Department of Transportation has a Dashboard for Airline Cancellation & Delay which you can reference.
- Although travel insurance can help with reimbursement expenses incurred due to a delay, it is not a foolproof method. All plans are different, and I recommend reaching out to the insurance company directly to review your plan. Ask specific questions so that you have a good grasp on the policy.
If there is any silver lining, it is that we can only go up from here.
Consider other ways to travel for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Is car, bus, or train travel an option? You might be thanking yourself later…
Emily is a luxury travel advisor and owner of EP Signature Travel. She is a mom who understands how difficult it is to get everything done for your family all the time. She plans seamless vacations for deserving moms, whether for a couples getaway, girls group trip, or family vacay.
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