Spring travel is bringing long security lines at many U.S. airports. The Transportation Security Administration has been operating without full funding since a Department of Homeland Security shutdown began Feb. 14, and thousands of screeners have been working without pay. Congressional negotiations over DHS funding and immigration enforcement have kept the impasse in place during a busy travel season.
What travelers are seeing
Major hubs have reported extended waits: Houston and Atlanta security lines stretched up to two hours at times, New Orleans advised travelers to arrive at least three hours before departure, and Philadelphia briefly closed three checkpoints because of staffing shortages. On social media, former President Trump threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to staff airport lanes if Democrats did not agree to fund DHS and posted that he had told ICE to “GET READY” to deploy.
Why lines are long
TSA officers are classified as essential, so roughly 50,000 have continued working without pay. Many missed their first full paychecks during the shutdown. DHS says more than 300 TSA officers have resigned since the funding lapse, and some airports have experienced high call-out and sick rates — reports indicated more than half of TSA staff called out in Houston and nearly a third in Atlanta and New Orleans in a recent week. Those staffing gaps come as spring break travel peaks and severe weather also complicates operations.
Airlines for America projected about 2.8 million passengers per day in March and April, roughly 171 million travelers for the season, which adds pressure to already strained screening operations.
What officials and others say
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned the situation could worsen if the shutdown continues, noting a second missed paycheck would increase strain and could force smaller airports to temporarily close checkpoints. He stressed that screening remains safe but will be slower with fewer agents. The U.K. Foreign Office advised travelers to expect longer-than-usual queues at some U.S. airports and to check with airlines and airports before travel.
Private offers and legal limits: Elon Musk offered to cover TSA salaries during the funding gap, but U.S. law generally prohibits federal employees from accepting outside payment for their official duties.
Travel demand and costs
Global events have pushed up oil and jet-fuel prices; United Airlines has said it will cut some flights in response to higher fuel costs, a move that could put upward pressure on fares. Despite disruptions, travel demand remains strong.
How to prepare for longer, less predictable lines
1) Check before you leave: Look up your airport’s current security wait times on the airport website and TSA’s site or app. During the shutdown updates may be less frequent. Note that about 20 U.S. airports use private screening contractors (including some large hubs such as San Francisco and Kansas City) and have not reported the same staffing shortfalls.
2) Allow extra time: Plan to arrive earlier than you normally would. Even if posted wait times look short, lanes can close unexpectedly — including PreCheck — and create big delays.
3) Consider expedited screening: Enroll in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and enable biometric screening options in your airline app if offered. A faster on-site alternative is CLEAR, which lets you enroll at the airport but costs around $209 per year (some credit cards offer reimbursements). Remember expedited lanes aren’t guaranteed to be quicker in every situation; assess lane lengths when you arrive.
4) Have a backup plan: Save airline apps and customer-service numbers, know which other carriers fly your route, and be prepared to rebook if you miss a connection. While airlines don’t always rebook passengers on competitors, it’s worth asking. If an airline cancels your flight in the U.S., Department of Transportation rules generally entitle you to a refund.
Bottom line
Expect longer and less predictable security lines this spring. Check local airport conditions before you travel, give yourself more time, consider expedited options if they make sense for your trip, and keep contingency plans ready in case of missed connections or cancellations.