It’s a traveler’s worst-case: you arrive at the airport and the TSA security line stretches down a hallway or onto the sidewalk. With the partial government shutdown causing major staffing disruptions, some airports have reported waits of several hours. If you miss your flight because of long lines, here are practical steps and strategies.
Before you leave for the airport
– Check current TSA wait times. Some airports post them on their websites; others update social media. The MyTSA app may be unavailable during the shutdown, so use airport resources or local reports.
– Remember wait times can vary widely by airport and time of day. For example, some airports have reported waits of minutes while others have reported 1–4+ hours.
At the airport: faced with a long line
– Ask an airport employee if there’s another security lane or a shorter line in a different terminal. It may take a walk but could save a lot of time.
– If the line barely moves and you’re worried about missing boarding, start exploring rebooking options immediately.
If you’re stuck in line and worried about missing your flight
– Open your airline’s app or website to check alternate flights. It’s often easiest to rebook through the app if your fare class allows changes.
– Basic economy fares are typically nonchangeable; if you booked a more flexible fare you’ll have better options.
– If you can secure a new seat, book it before the original flight leaves to avoid being marked a no‑show and having the rest of your itinerary canceled.
– Stay calm and polite when dealing with airline or airport staff; they’re more able and willing to help cooperative passengers. In some cases airlines have held flights briefly to accommodate passengers delayed by TSA.
You’re definitely missing the flight: contact the airline
– Use every channel: phone, the airline app/website, and the airport service desk. Calling can sometimes be faster, but lines may be busy—try alternative numbers or language lines if needed.
– Use any status or membership you have (frequent flier profile, lounge access) to speed service. Airline lounges often have shorter customer-service lines.
What airlines are doing
– Several carriers have announced temporary flexibility for passengers affected by TSA delays. Some examples: waivers at specific airports that allow free changes or rebooking without fees or fare differences if the new ticket is the same cabin.
– Policies vary by carrier and airport; check your airline’s travel alerts for details. During peak travel periods, though, replacement seats may be limited.
Other options and considerations
– If rebooking isn’t possible or is prohibitively expensive, consider alternate transportation such as driving (car rental) or train, depending on distance and urgency.
– Try to avoid peak travel days and times when rescheduling: midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday) and Saturday tend to be less busy than Friday or Sunday. If security lines are the problem, later morning or lunchtime flights can sometimes be better than early-morning peak periods.
– If your plans are severely disrupted, ask the airline for a refund or travel voucher. Also check travel insurance or credit-card protections—many standard travel policies do not cover missed flights due to long TSA lines, especially if the delay was foreseeable when you bought the policy.
Know your rights and resources
– Check the U.S. Department of Transportation’s resources on delays and cancellations to understand what airlines might owe or offer.
– Keep documentation of delays and related expenses in case you need to request compensation or file an insurance claim.
Context
– The current long lines are tied to federal staffing and payment issues during a partial government shutdown, which has led to unusually long TSA wait times at some airports.
Sources and experts
– Sean Cudahy, an aviation reporter at The Points Guy, provided practical tips on searching for alternate lines and using airline apps to rebook.
– Daniel Durazo of Allianz noted that standard travel insurance typically won’t cover missed flights caused by long TSA lines unless the situation was unforeseeable at purchase.
NPR’s Tovia Smith contributed reporting to this story.