MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is among many across the nation feeling the strain from the partial government shutdown.

"It completely changes how I travel for work," said traveler, Andrew Huckla.

The shutdown is changing the way people travel as they try to avoid the lines.

"They’ve been great," said traveler, Dean Bielawa. "That’s actually why we flew out this way, because we knew O'Hare was jam packed with the TSA issues and we came here and it's wide open."

Travelers say wait times aren't the problem at Mitchell International Airport, the ongoing troubles for TSA are.

"Their essential and you want all of them that need to be on staff," said Bielawa.

More than 300 TSA employees have left the agency since the start of the shutdown in mid-February.

Darrell English, the president of the AFGE Local 777, the union that represents TSA workers in Wisconsin and Illinois says, the last few weeks have weighed heavy on employees.

"Officers have been frustrated," said English. "Their finances are depleted. We have situations where officers are being evicted from their property, foreclosures are being proceeded on."

He says spring break travel creates a high demand for workers and not getting paid is a cost they can't afford.

"They have officers sleeping in their cars," said English. "Taking showers in gymnasiums in the middle of winter. It's something we shouldn’t be doing.

He says since January, TSA employees haven't received a consistent paycheck.

"I've been with TSA for over 21 years and this is the first time I've seen officers to the point where they are almost mentally broken," said English.

English says even when the shutdown ends, it takes time for employees to get the missed paychecks they rely on.

"TSA is still put in that situation where they are almost looked at as a pawn, but these are real people," said English. "People like you and I that have family, that have children and daycare."