TSA wait times are unpredictable amid government shutdown : NPR

As spring break commences across the U.S., air travelers are encountering extended queues at airports. This is due to security screeners working without pay during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

Democrats in Congress have chosen not to provide funding for the agency, seeking to prompt changes in federal immigration enforcement policies.

On Friday, wait times at major airports in Houston and Atlanta stretched to two hours. Meanwhile, Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans recommended passengers arrive a minimum of three hours before their flights. In Philadelphia this week, airport officials closed three security checkpoints entirely due to insufficient staff.

On Saturday, President Trump issued a threat to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to manage airport security lanes if Democrats do not “immediately” agree to fund DHS. A bipartisan group of senators is currently engaged in discussions with the White House regarding immigration enforcement and how to end the shutdown.

“I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before, including the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into our Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. In a subsequent message, he stated he instructed ICE to “GET READY” to be dispatched to airports by Monday.

What’s causing these lengthy waits?

Officials report that wait times are highly unpredictable and can change rapidly as airports contend with personnel shortages within the Transportation Security Administration.

TSA personnel are designated as essential employees, meaning roughly 50,000 have been working without compensation since the shutdown began on February 14. Last week marked their first missed full paychecks. The Department of Homeland Security reports that over 300 TSA officers have resigned. Last week, more than half of Houston’s TSA workforce called out sick, and almost a third in Atlanta and New Orleans did the same, according to DHS.

This staff shortage coincides with travel disruptions caused by severe weather and school closures nationwide for spring break.

An estimated 2.8 million individuals were anticipated to fly on U.S. airlines daily in March and April, totaling an unprecedented 171 million passengers, as per the industry body Airlines for America.

What are officials saying?

Transportation officials are cautioning that the situation could deteriorate further if the shutdown persists. A second missed paycheck would intensify pressure on TSA staff, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy informed CNN on Friday.

“If a resolution isn’t reached, what we’re witnessing today will seem minor,” Duffy remarked. “Is it still safe to navigate the airport? Absolutely, but it requires significantly more time due to fewer agents working.” He also noted that some smaller airports might face temporary closures if more staff fail to report for duty.

In the U.K., Foreign Office officials are also cautioning travelers about potential “travel disruption” due to “longer than usual queues at some U.S. airports.” They advise passengers to consult their travel provider, airport, or airline for current guidance.

On Saturday, billionaire Elon Musk offered to personally cover the salaries of TSA staff.

“I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country,” Musk posted on X in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Federal law generally prohibits government employees from accepting external compensation for their official duties.

Despite disruptions, travel demand remains robust

Beyond prolonged security lines and weather-related issues, travel is also impacted by the conflict in Iran, which is causing global oil prices to surge.

On Friday, United Airlines announced it would reduce some flights over the coming six months, following a recent doubling of jet fuel prices. These capacity reductions are likely to further escalate airfares, which are already on the rise, noted Clint Henderson, a spokesperson for The Points Guy travel website.

However, he observed that these factors do not appear to be deterring Americans from flying.

“The eagerness for travel is boundless,” he stated. “People seem prepared to endure numerous inconveniences to travel. And I see no indication of that diminishing.”

How can travelers prepare for their journeys?

Travel experts emphasize that passengers should brace not just for lengthy wait times, but for the inherent unpredictability.

“Each passing day, the situation continues to worsen,” Henderson commented.

Here are some recommendations to help you prepare for your upcoming air travel:

1. Get informed before you depart
Many airport websites offer estimated security wait times. According to Henderson, this should be your initial point of reference to gauge potential line lengths. (He added that TSA’s own website and app wait time estimates are not being regularly updated due to the shutdown.)

“Information is crucial,” Henderson stated. “You should be aware of the current situation at your local airport.”

He pointed out that there are 20 U.S. airports where security checks are handled by private contractors rather than the TSA — and these locations are not experiencing staffing shortages or long delays. While some are smaller regional airports, this list also includes major hubs such as San Francisco International Airport and Kansas City International Airport.

“There are very large metropolitan areas where this isn’t an issue at all,” Henderson affirmed.

2. Allocate additional time
If you typically arrive at the airport just as your flight begins boarding, travel writer Chris Dong suggests rethinking that strategy.

“I’m usually a last-minute traveler,” Dong admitted, “but I believe that advice would be ill-suited for the present circumstances.”

Even if wait times are reported as short, conditions can rapidly change. Dong recently flew from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport and discovered the TSA PreCheck line was unexpectedly closed.

“Consequently, everyone was diverted to the standard line, adding an extra 20 to 30 minutes,” he recounted. “I was quite anxious because I typically arrive at the very last second. And these levels of uncertainty are simply higher now due to the shutdown.”

3. Explore biometric screening options
Henderson often advises enrolling in TSA PreCheck or the Global Entry program for faster airport security processing, and also to opt into biometric screening. This must be arranged in advance, and travelers must also select biometric screening within their airline’s mobile applications.

“Ensure you’ve opted into that if it’s an available option, as it will alleviate a lot of stress,” he advised.

For those who haven’t pre-registered, a last-minute option exists: the private CLEAR program, which allows airport enrollment. Henderson notes its cost – an annual membership of $209 – but points out that certain credit card companies offer refunds for this fee.

“To bypass a three-hour line, for me, is likely worth the membership fee, especially if you know your credit card will reimburse you,” he remarked.

That said, both Henderson and Dong cautioned that expedited screening lanes aren’t always quicker than standard screening. Always observe all available lanes upon your arrival at the airport.

4. Have a backup strategy
If your connection is missed or your flight is canceled, take immediate action to rebook. “Have all the necessary tools at your disposal in case things go awry,” Henderson recommended.

This includes installing your airline’s app on your smartphone and noting down their customer service number, so you’re not frantically searching for it.

“And then, naturally, have a contingency plan,” Henderson added. “Be aware of which other airlines operate on your desired route in case, for instance, you miss your Delta flight and American offers a flight you could take later that day.”

He mentioned that while airlines generally prefer not to rebook passengers on rival carriers, it’s always worth inquiring. He also suggests having relevant information ready for customer service agents, such as flight number, airline, and departure time.

Furthermore, if an airline cancels your flight within the U.S., you are entitled to a refund, as per the Department of Transportation.