The partial government shutdown has sparked extremely long security lines at airports across the country, with some hubs experiencing over four-hour waits
Credit: Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- TSA wait times have reached record highs, with some airports experiencing delays of over four and a half hours, according to the agency
- Travelers should arrive at airports much earlier than usual, especially if they are flying during Easter or Passover
- The delays are a direct result of the partial government shutdown, with over 50,000 TSA employees working without pay and callout rates increasing
As the partial government shutdown continues to spark unpredictable TSA wait times at airports across the country, travelers could be in for a stressful experience if it continues through Passover and Easter.
The partial shutdown started Feb. 14 and has been impacting funding for most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). More than 50,000 TSA workers have been forced to work without pay, and over 450 officers have already quit after multiple missed paychecks.
Thus, airports are understaffed across the country, and callout rates among TSA officers who can't afford to work for no pay, have gone up significantly at major hubs. Earlier in March, the agency warned that smaller airports could even shut down if callout rates continue to increase.
TSA Wait Times Could Be More Than 4 Hours Long at Some Airports
Credit: Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty
For travelers flying during the upcoming holidays, it would be wise to arrive at the airport much earlier than normal to allocate time for potentially long security lines.
TSA administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill said that the current shutdown has led to the “highest wait times in TSA history,” and that some airports are seeing delays “greater than four and a half hours.”
Many airports have notices posted on their websites advising passengers to arrive hours early, including Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, where passengers waited in three-hour long security lines last weekend.
“Due to current federal conditions, passengers are advised to allow at least 4 hours or more for domestic and international screenings,” the airport states on its website.
Don’t Rely on the MyTSA App
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Before the shutdown, travelers could turn to the MyTSA app to check live wait times at airports and monitor delays reported by fellow travelers. According to Business Insider, the app has seen a spike in downloads this month, however it is not fully functioning as a result of the shutdown.
Some airports have stated that wait times are not being regularly updated during this time, including major hubs like John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City.
“Due to the federal funding lapse, security wait times may be significantly longer than normal. Wait times are subject to rapid change based on passenger volumes and TSA staffing. For these reasons, wait time reporting has been temporarily suspended,” the airport states on its website, noting that passengers should “allow for significantly more time” for security lines.
However, some travelers have been sharing updates online regarding wait times once they arrive at the airport, so monitoring social media could be a helpful tool for travelers who are trying to get an idea of what to expect.
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TSA PreCheck Lines May Be Impacted
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Travelers who have TSA PreCheck would normally be able to zoom through security lines in ten minutes or less, however staffing shortages have impacted this perk at some airports.
According to the New York Times, the country’s busiest airports have had to close PreCheck lanes as they deal with high callout rates from officers. However, it’s still worth applying for the benefit, and the agency is actively processing applications even during the shutdown, the Times reports.
Eric Rosen, the director of travel content at the Points Guy, told the Times that during the shutdown, “TSA PreCheck lines have not been impacted nearly as badly in most instances.”
Other special clearance lanes like CLEAR or airline-specific priority lanes, available to flyers with status or sometimes available to purchase as an add-on perk to a flight, may also be helpful.
Read the full article here
