It’s day 38 of the partial government shutdown and airport security wait times have increased.
For both business travelers and families heading off on spring break, the biggest question in air travel today is: “How long will the security line be?”
In several of the country’s busiest centers, traffic jams have increased to more than three hours.
TSA PreCheck or Clear expedited lanes have been closed at some airports, compounding the problem. In others, some security checkpoints have been closed entirely.
And across the country, a growing number of passengers have missed flights because of security lines snaking through terminals (and sometimes out of them).
They are the consequences of a stalemate in Washington affecting the operations of the US Department of Homeland Security, which has now seen Transportation Security Administration officials go more than five weeks without pay.
This, following a 43-day shutdown last fall, has led to a rise in complaints and resignations at the TSA and fueled growing security bottlenecks in a growing number of cities.
2 and 3 hour backups are now common
In Atlanta on Monday, the world’s busiest airport urged travelers to arrive four hours before departure, or risk getting lost.
Delta Air Lines employees assisted at checkpoints, freeing TSA agents to focus on screening passengers and bags.
Reward your inbox with TPG’s daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers to receive breaking news, in-depth guides, and exclusive offers from TPG experts.
In Houston, staffing shortages led TSA to close concourse C and D security checkpoints (and some TSA PreCheck lanes) at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), where airport officials warned that delays could exceed three hours.
Recent days have also seen warnings of three-hour queues and closed access to PreCheck at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), and “significantly longer than normal” waits at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York.
Meanwhile, a controversial decision Sunday by the Trump administration had U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials patrolling some of the airports hit hardest by delays on Monday, helping the TSA with some logistical tasks.
As frustration boiled over among passengers, travel industry leaders issued a stern warning to lawmakers ahead of a planned recess at the Capitol:
“Don’t board that flight, pack that bag or clear that schedule until TSA officials have been paid,” the nonpartisan U.S. Travel Association said Monday.
TPG Tips for Tackling Long TSA Lines
For now, expect the possibility of a long wait at security if you’re heading to the airport, possibly even if you participate in a program like TSA PreCheck or Clear. Here are TPG’s top tips for navigating safety during this latest shutdown.
Arrive early (obviously)
Obviously, you must arrive at the airport earlier than normal.
But how early is it? The million dollar question.
TSA enforcement It usually shows live wait times, but is unreliable due to the DHS shutdown. So don’t count on it to provide accurate information.
Follow your airport online
Some airports have their own TSA trackers on their websites. Definitely check if your departure airport has one.
Even then, though it may not be fail-safe. Because wait times have been so volatile, JFK in New York simply “temporarily suspended” its tracker.
For that reason, I would rely more on your airport’s website and social media to get an idea of what you’ll find when you arrive at the terminal.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), for example, assured travelers on Monday that checkpoints were operating normally.
Clear, TSA PreCheck and TSA PreCheck Touchless ID
Those expedited programs remain the gold standard for getting through airport security quickly.
If you have access to TSA PreCheck, be sure to sign up through your airline profile on the rapidly expanding platform TSA PreCheck Contactless ID program, which is usually even faster than the normally fast lanes.
The only caveat is that these services have been suspended at some checkpoints as TSA staffing problems have increased.
“Airport conditions are changing rapidly and may impact service at some of our locations,” Kyle McLaughlin, executive vice president of aviation for paid service Clear, told TPG on Monday.
Again, check your airport’s social media to see if you might be affected.
Read more: $99 Clear Concierge Service Just Saved TPG’s Summer Hull 4 Hours in the TSA Checkpoint Line
Aim for calmer days and times
Whether you’re booking a new flight or considering changing an existing one, I would aim for quiet days and slots to avoid longer queues.
Nationwide, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays tend to be the quietest days at airports. While we often suggest early morning departures to avoid flight delays, you can often avoid the biggest crowds (and security reinforcements) by opting for a midday flight.
Find that ‘hidden gem’ checkpoint… if it exists
Do you arrive at the airport and find a very long line? Look for an airport employee. See if they can direct you to a quieter checkpoint.
Some airports have certain TSA lines that tend to back up while others remain much quieter.
If you’re willing to walk, you may be able to reduce the wait in line, as long as you can get to the security booth at the gate.
Additional tip: Consider changing your flight to one of these 20 airports
Prepare for a long wait
While the goal is to avoid the longest TSA lines, the reality is that if you’re flying, you may have to wait a bit for security reasons.
I would consider charging phones and going to the bathroom before waiting in line.
Also, have the essentials in your carry-on bag to get you through a long delay, from on-the-go kids activities to medications, snacks, and some water; just make sure you finish it before you get to the front of the line, to comply with the 3-1-1!
What if you’re going to miss your flight due to long TSA lines?
What if you’re watching precious minutes go by and it looks like you’re going to miss your flight?
Consider changing your flight
Open your airline’s app and see if you can change to a later flight.
Just know that unlike a major flight delay or cancellation, federal policy does not require airlines to refund you money for a flight missed due to a security line.
Are airlines delaying flights or offering refunds?
That said, some carriers could work with you.
Delta, which has its mega hub in hard-hit Atlanta, said it is making “calculated decisions” about which flights it can delay without disrupting additional later flights.
And the carrier added this:
“Delta will make efforts to rebook customers when possible if wait times at TSA checkpoints caused a missed flight,” a spokesperson told TPG, but noted, “Many flights are nearly or completely full as spring break travel begins in earnest.”
Sunday was the busiest day at airports since the Christmas season.
In a nutshell
As the partial government shutdown continues for another week, air travelers are finding it increasingly difficult to navigate growing airport security lines. Even having access to the Clear and TSA PreCheck lanes might not help you, as some of them are closed. The best thing you can do is monitor your airport’s website and social media for updates on security wait times, arrive at the airport much earlier than usual, and have alternative flights in mind in case you end up missing your flight.
