If you thought airport security lines were bad the last time you traveled, recent reports show they are getting worse. Just a few days ago, I warned readers to arrive extra early at airports because Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening lines have been unusually long. Some passengers were waiting up to three hours to clear checkpoints. Now, the situation has intensified.
According to CBS News, unscheduled absences among TSA officers have more than doubled during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown. Since the shutdown began on February 14, over 300 TSA employees have left the agency and callout rates have soared, with some airports reporting that nearly half of their scheduled officers did not show up to work.
At Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport, for instance, 53% of TSA officers called out on March 8, followed by 47% the next day. John F. Kennedy International Airport had an average 21% absence rate, the highest among major hubs.
Other heavily affected airports include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (19%), New Orleans (14%) and Pittsburgh International Airport (13%). Extreme weather events have only compounded the problem, with blizzards in the Northeast forcing 77% of officers at JFK and 53% at Newark to call out on one day alone.
The TSA workforce is under unprecedented strain. Approximately 50,000 officers are working without pay and first full missed paychecks are expected soon. Former TSA Administrator John Pistole told CBS News that morale is extremely low, warning that extended shutdowns could permanently damage the workforce, as employees may leave entirely and potential recruits may be discouraged from joining.
What This Means for Travelers
The shortage of TSA officers has directly contributed to longer wait times at checkpoints. Some airports have had to consolidate security lanes or reduce open checkpoints, while remaining officers are tasked with screening more passengers. The result is longer lines and increasingly unpredictable delays.
Several airports are issuing stern travel advice. Houston officials have urged passengers to arrive four to five hours before flights, while New Orleans airport officials recommended arriving at least three hours early. Atlanta has also warned travelers of potential delays as staffing shortages persist.
Passengers are sharing their experiences. Leah Turney, traveling from New Orleans, said she and her family missed their flights after waiting four hours in TSA lines. Another traveler, Ellen Caldwell, noted that the situation has become “insane” compared to her previous visits.
Travel Tips to Avoid Long Security Lines
Arrive Extra Early
Give yourself plenty of time. At heavily affected airports, four to five hours before departure may be necessary.
Check TSA Updates
Monitor your airport’s social media channels for real-time updates on wait times.
Use TSA PreCheck
While some expedited programs were briefly threatened, TSA PreCheck remains operational at many airports.
Carry-On
This is the time to pack light so you have carry-on only or ship your bags ahead of time (if traveling domestically).
Stay Calm and Patient
Long waits are unavoidable right now, so plan for the stress and build in extra buffer time.
