TSA wait times are unpredictable amid government shutdown : NPR

As spring break unfolds in the U.S., travelers are encountering extensive airport queues due to security personnel working without pay amid a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

This situation arises as Congressional Democrats have opted not to fund the agency, aiming to push for changes in federal immigration enforcement.

On Friday, travelers at major airports in Houston and Atlanta faced wait times of up to two hours. Meanwhile, Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans advised passengers to arrive three hours early, and Philadelphia airport officials closed three security checkpoints due to staffing issues.

President Trump, on Saturday, warned that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents might be sent to manage airport security if Democrats do not promptly agree to fund the DHS. Discussions are ongoing between a bipartisan group of senators and the White House to resolve the shutdown and address immigration enforcement.

“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 stated on Truth Social. In another post, he instructed ICE to “GET READY” for deployment to airports on Monday.

Why are wait times so long?

Officials indicate that unpredictable wait times are due to staffing shortages at airports, affecting the Transportation Security Administration’s efficiency.

As essential workers, roughly 50,000 TSA employees have been working without pay since the shutdown began on February 14, missing their first full paychecks last week. According to the Department of Homeland Security, over 300 TSA officers have resigned. In Houston, more than half of the TSA staff called in sick, with similar numbers in Atlanta and New Orleans.

The staffing issues are compounded by severe weather disruptions and school closures for spring break.

Airlines for America, an industry group, projects that 2.8 million people will travel on U.S. airlines daily in March and April, totaling a record 171 million passengers.

What do officials say?

Transportation officials caution that the situation could worsen if the shutdown continues. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told CNN on Friday that a second missed paycheck would further strain TSA workers.

“If a deal isn’t cut, you’re going to see what’s happening today look like child’s play,” Duffy stated. “Is it still safe as you go through the airport? Yes, but it takes a lot longer because we have fewer agents working.” He also noted that some smaller airports might have to close temporarily if more staff calls out.

In the U.K., Foreign Office officials are advising travelers of potential “travel disruption” due to “longer than usual queues at some U.S. airports” and recommend checking with travel providers, airports, or airlines for updates.

Billionaire Elon Musk offered to personally fund TSA staff salaries on Saturday, posting on X, “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.”

However, U.S. law generally prohibits government employees from receiving outside compensation for their duties.

Even with disruptions, travel demand is still high

Despite the challenges of long security lines and adverse weather, travel is further impacted by the conflict in Iran, which has led to a spike in global oil prices.

On Friday, United Airlines announced plans to reduce flights over the next six months due to recent surges in jet fuel prices. This reduction in capacity is likely to increase airfare costs, which are already on the rise, according to Clint Henderson from the travel website The Points Guy.

Nevertheless, Henderson observes that American travelers remain undeterred. “The appetite for travel is insatiable,” he remarked. “People seem willing to endure a lot of stuff to travel. And I don’t see any signs of that decreasing.”

How can travelers prepare?

Travel experts emphasize the need to prepare not only for long wait times but also for uncertainty. “Every day this goes on, it’s getting worse and worse and worse,” Henderson said.

Here are some tips to prepare for upcoming air travel:

1. Know before you go
Check airport websites for estimated security wait times as your first step to gauge potential delays, Henderson advises. While TSA provides estimates on its website and app, these are not regularly updated due to the shutdown.

“Knowledge is power,” Henderson said. “You should know what’s going on at your local airport.”

Some 20 U.S. airports use private contractors for security screening instead of TSA, avoiding staffing shortages and long lines. These include larger hubs like San Francisco International Airport and Kansas City International Airport.

“There’s big, big, big metropolitan areas where it’s not an issue at all,” Henderson noted.

2. Budget extra time
Travel writer Chris Dong suggests reconsidering last-minute airport arrivals. “I’m the type of traveler who usually arrives pretty last minute,” Dong admitted, “but I think that that advice would not be sound for the current situation.”

Even if wait times appear short, they can change quickly. Dong recently encountered an unexpected TSA PreCheck line closure at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, adding 20 to 30 minutes to his wait.

“I was sweating it out because I usually arrive super last-minute. And those levels of uncertainty are just higher now with the shutdown,” he explained.

3. Consider biometric screening
Henderson advises enrolling in TSA PreCheck or the Global Entry program for faster security clearance and opting for biometric screening, which requires prior registration and selection in airline apps.

“Make sure if that’s an option that you’re opted in for that, because that will save you so much agita,” he said.

For those unregistered, the private CLEAR program offers a last-minute option at airports. Although expensive, with an annual fee of $209, some credit card companies reimburse this cost.

“For me to skip a three-hour line is probably worth the membership fee, especially if you know your credit card will pay you back for it,” Henderson said.

However, both Henderson and Dong caution that expedited lanes may not always be quicker than regular ones, so travelers should assess all available lanes upon arrival.

4. Make a plan B
If a connection is missed or a flight canceled, Henderson suggests being proactive in rebooking. “Have all the tools available to you in the toolbox in case things go wrong,” he advises.

This includes downloading the airline’s app and noting its customer service number for easy access.

“And then, you know, obviously have a plan B,” Henderson said. “Know what other airlines fly the route that you want to take in case, you know, you missed your Delta flight and American is offering a flight you can take later that day.”

While airlines are generally reluctant to rebook passengers on competitors’ flights, Henderson recommends asking and having detailed information ready for customer service, including flight numbers, airlines, and departure times.

In the U.S., passengers are entitled to a refund if an airline cancels their flight, as per the Department of Transportation.