As the partial government shutdown approaches one month, travelers at some U.S. airports have faced multi-hour security lines. On Sunday, March 8, major hubs such as Houston Hobby (HOU) and New Orleans Louis Armstrong (MSY) reported TSA lines as long as 3.5 hours, with videos showing queues spilling outside terminals. Early Friday, Austin-Bergstrom (AUS) had security lines stretching out the door for about two hours, according to local reports.
Most airports are still seeing near-average wait times, but that could change after TSA workers miss their first full paycheck. Staff absences have more than doubled since DHS funding ended on February 14, and DHS says more than 300 TSA officers have quit since the shutdown began. A federal union leader told the New York Times he expects a “drastic change” in staffing after pay stops.
The staffing shortfall coincides with peak spring-break travel: an estimated 171 million passengers are expected to fly this spring. Some airports, including AUS, expect their busiest periods in late March and early April.
Many hubs continue to operate normally. Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) reported normal checkpoint wait times, and Los Angeles International (LAX) had average waits of around two minutes on Friday. New York-area airports showed slower movement in some terminals, with waits up to 30 minutes at Newark and JFK in certain terminals.
Conditions vary daily. TSA temporarily closed Terminal C at Philadelphia International (PHL) on Thursday due to low staffing and reassigned officers to other terminals; that strategy appeared to help, with normal wait times reported in open terminals on Friday.
Regardless of airport, here’s how to prepare.
How can I check TSA wait times before my flight?
Check your airport’s website for the latest checkpoint estimates—most major airports update wait times hourly for each checkpoint. The TSA’s MyTSA app posts estimated wait times for all U.S. airports, but those figures are often historical averages rather than live updates, so they may not reflect current conditions.
How to access expedited TSA lanes
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are operating. PreCheck gives access to expedited lanes where travelers don’t remove liquids or large electronics, but applications can take days to weeks to process.
If you need a quick option, consider a Clear trial at the airport. Clear lets travelers skip to the front of the PreCheck line and offers onsite sign-up at more than 60 airports. It’s free to try, then charges a $209 annual fee after two weeks; Clear includes PreCheck enrollment. Some credit cards offer statement credits that cover Clear—check your benefits.
PreCheck members should also see whether their airline offers TSA Touchless ID lanes at their departure airport. Touchless ID, available to enrolled PreCheck members with a frequent-flier account, uses a facial scan instead of showing ID and a boarding pass and can speed the checkpoint process. The service is available at dozens of U.S. airports.
Even with expedited options, plan for extra time. Until funding resumes, many airports advise arriving earlier than usual—most recommend at least three hours before domestic flights and four hours before international departures.