First, employees deemed “essential” would remain on the job and that includes
Transportation Security Administration screeners and air traffic controllers. So flight schedules should not be affected by a shutdown.
RELATED: With no deal on shutdown, GOP accuses Sherrod Brown of flip-flop
Those planning international travel would also not be impacted, because passport and visa applications and delivery would still be processed by the State Department.
Fees collected when someone applies for a visa or a passport fund those services.
But anyone planning travel to a national park or other site maintained by the federal government should be aware that those sites could have limited services.
RELATED: Government shutdown, what would close?
During past government shutdowns, all national parks have closed, as well as federal museums like the Smithsonian and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
But Department of the Interior spokeswoman Heather Swift told the Associated Press that national parks and outdoor sites would remain open as much as possible. Campgrounds, concessions and other services would be closed she said.
Visitors in overnight campgrounds in national parks would be given 48 hours to make alternate arrangements and leave the park if the government shuts down.
About the Author