Any anticipated impact from the US government shutdown on the RS trip?

Your tour will go as scheduled. So should your flight.

Based on the last several times, there will likely be delays at the airport. TSA screeners are required to work without pay, but that doesnt mean they'll be happy about it, So absences and slow downs likely. And all their support personnel will be out. Not sure about passports, but not everyone who works at Dept of State will be working, so it may slow down as well. Embassies' staff? Probably reduced service.

Diane - that's what I think too - RS/ 'his people' are good about staying in touch & no news is good news

Stan – our son & his wife are NASA engineers & in the past their experience is that when the shutdown is over backpay is given – it makes sense that all government employees will receive backpay – so I don’t think that TSA personal being unhappy about working without pay will be a problem

In fact, as I stated we have been traveling before while a gov shutdown was going on – just not a RS trip as will be the case this time – most of our airport time will be in England & Greece

I’m not worried – hubby was just wondering about our RS tour – we are very much looking forward to our RS vacation in Greece

julie, backpay may be true (although technically not a certainty), but people who have mortgages and bills to pay still have an immediate negative impact. And, knowing that all those "non-essential" workers who will be off will also eventually get paid while you must work is a major disincentive to be happy and courteous at your job.

Been through this situation before while traveling & wasn't a problem

husband just asked me to inquire specifically about any impact on RS tours

life is always extra hard for people struggling to pay bills & unable to save for emergencies – not what we are discussing here though

The caution about TSA slowdowns is still germane to your question, regardless of the reasons why.. So arriving extra early for your originating flight is a good idea. And a similar slowdown at Customs, on your return is also likely. Obviously once you have left the US, a government shutdown won't be an issue until you return.

I think CJean's answer is good. If you are leaving the end of Sept it won't affect you BUT it may affect you on the way home. Hopefully you do not have a short transit time in the US on any of your flights? THAT would be the only thing I'd worry about.

Other than that, go, have a wonderful time, disconnect from the US news and all the haranguing and nastiness of the arguments if there is a shutdown. This would be a good time to be gone.

AND it's reminding me that when planning for travel next Fall I should arrange it so I am leaving before October 1.

I am flying out early October.

I do not think that you, Julie, will be affected flying out the end of September but I have concerns about my flight.

Maybe I am wrong but I do not think the government is scheduled to close down until after October 1st and I hope the I am wrong but I do think that it is going to happen.

Been through this situation before while traveling & wasn't a problem

husband just asked me to inquire specifically about any impact on RS tours - no news from RS people about this, so that's good

happy travels everyone

I am not sure why there would be any different impact on an RS tour as opposed to if one were traveling alone. RS is not affiliated with the USG.

husband just asked me to inquire specifically about any impact on RS tours

Julie, tell your husband to call the RS tour office directly himself tomorrow morning to get his questions answered.

Maybe we should all contact our elected officials and tell them we expect them to do their jobs. I like how they go ahead and shut down themselves because they don’t want to work this weekend. I swear let’s lock them in room without a bathroom and they can’t come out until they learn to play well together and get something done. This is ridiculous.

Good luck with that, Carol!

I agree Kim – was just doing my husband a favor – between gov shutdown & Covid vaccine not widely available, etc.…life & travels are extra challenging these days…

Our experience with RS is that they stay close in touch with us as needed & nothing about this being a worry

Greece vacation here we come…

Im kind of confused on your question, as I’m sure others are, about why you or your husband thought that Rick Steves Tours are somehow connected to the US government and so would be affected by a shutdown. I’m sorry you seem slightly perturbed by some of the posts but this is just a forum and you should have expected a variety of answers in regards to travel when you put the question up here instead of calling the RS Tours Office directly. Thank you to the posters who mentioned probable slow down time with TSA. I’m sure there are some not anticipating that if the government does actually shut down.

I do not think the OP was connecting the RS organization with the US government. I think Stan made a good point. I get a sense the OP has received the info she requested and is ready to be done with this thread.

margie, did some of the OP's responses get deleted? Cause I am confused with your statements.

You can reassure your husband that if there was a problem with your Rick Steve tour, it would have nothing to do with the government shut down. In fact, the only time the shut down might affect you is when you return to the US and have to go through immigration and customs. They will be operating, but it might take you a little bit more time.

If you have Global Entry or use the Mobile Passport Control app, you could save yourself some time.