Travelers at major U.S. airports are dealing with some of the longest TSA wait times we've seen in a while. With the partial government shutdown going on for more than 40 days, TSA staffing has dropped and security lines have gotten really long.
Airports Grapple with Staff Shortages and Growing Delays
At New York-area airports like JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark, travelers have reported wait times that stretch into hours. Some passengers at JFK told of standing in line for two and a half hours, with emotions running high as flights were missed. A ground stop at LaGuardia added to the chaos, causing further delays and cancellations that compounded the frustration.
More than 400 TSA officers have quit since the shutdown began in late February, while many others have called out sick due to unpaid work. The result is a severe shortage of personnel at key hubs, including Baltimore/Washington, Philadelphia, Houston's Hobby and George Bush airports, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson, and New Orleans. These shortages have led to soaring wait times even for those enrolled in expedited screening programs.
Expedited Screening Programs Struggle Amid Shutdown
TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, which usually help travelers get through security faster, aren't always cutting wait times these days. At JFK, TSA agents have offered free CLEAR access to passengers boarding soon, hoping to ease wait times. But even with these perks, lines remain long.
TSA PreCheck, which costs about $80 for a five-year membership, usually lets travelers skip shoe removal and laptop checks. CLEAR offers biometric verification to move people quickly through checkpoints. However, some airports like Houston's George Bush Intercontinental are currently only offering standard screening, sidelining CLEAR users. This uneven availability highlights the unpredictable nature of airport security during this shutdown.
Government Gridlock Fuels Traveler Frustration
Congress still hasn't agreed on how to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Senate talks have stalled, with Democrats insisting on immigration enforcement reforms before agreeing to any GOP proposals.
The shutdown has already caused an estimated $2.5 billion in economic losses, according to the White House, and the mounting travel disruptions add to the toll.
Delta Airlines even suspended special services for members of Congress at Reagan National Airport, removing privileges like line-skipping and escorts. Meanwhile, ICE officers, who lack aviation security training, have been assigned to some airports to help with lines. Their presence has done little to ease the bottlenecks and raised questions about effectiveness.
Travelers Urged to Plan Ahead Amid Ongoing Chaos
Orlando International Airport, while less impacted than some northeastern hubs, still faces longer waits. On March 26, TSA screening times ranged from 6 to 17 minutes depending on terminal gates. Daytona Beach Airport reported wait times of up to 15 minutes. Flight delays and cancellations remain common, with Orlando seeing 81 delays and six cancellations that day.
Experts recommend arriving at least three hours before flights during this period. Real-time wait times and flight status can be monitored via the MyTSA app, FlightAware, and various third-party websites. But even with planning, the unpredictability of the shutdown's impact means travelers should expect disruptions.
Some frequent flyers enroll in Global Entry and other expedited programs to speed international travel. But even those with paid memberships can face delays when staffing is stretched thin. "They don’t eliminate delays but they do move faster," said Debbie Iannaci of the Global Business Travel Association.
Since talks are dragging out with no end to the shutdown in sight, travelers should expect long security lines for a while. Travelers will have to brace for long waits and keep a close eye on updates as they navigate the busiest spring travel season in years.
