Originally Posted by Global_Hi_Flyer

I posted this in the other thread, so I'll paraphrase:

1) Contractors will feel it first, depending on the contract. Not sure whether MCI and SFO are contracted with TSA or the airports - if with TSA, then hit first.... if with the airports, then likely no effect.

2) The administration controls the personnel (absent direct laws mandating specific staffing). They can (and will) staff in a way that increases delays materially to make the other party look bad. It will backfire if there is documented evidence that they are deliberately reducing staffing to increase delays to make other party look bad. If, on the other hand, make the case that this is just in-kind fallout from the sequestration, it will in fact make the other party look bad. There's a fine line, and make no mistake that they will make it just bad enough to make folks squeal but not so bad that they get blamed.

3) Expect it to hit pre-check first as the few folks that use that are considered "privileged" and are expected to wield the most influence on the hill. The lines are seen by the public as overstaffed relative to the numbers processed (that's the failing of the agency to approve enough folks, but that's also a different argument). The net effect will be to make the regular lines longer and delay folks.

4) From the Global Entry perspective, I'd still expect GE to function normally, though they may shut the expedited Customs function. Meaning you'll still save some time unless you get the X, but not as much as normal. I'd also expect longer Customs lines as I'd expect them to understaff the regular exits.