What’s happening
As the partial government shutdown stretches into weeks, some U.S. airports have reported long TSA lines. Major hubs such as Houston Hobby (HOU) and New Orleans Louis Armstrong (MSY) saw waits up to about 3.5 hours; Austin-Bergstrom (AUS) experienced roughly two-hour lines. Most airports still show near-average waits, but staffing shortfalls—absences have more than doubled since DHS funding ended on February 14 and more than 300 TSA officers have left—could make lines worse once employees miss paychecks. The staffing crunch coincides with peak spring travel: about 171 million passengers are expected this season, with some airports busiest in late March and early April.
What varies by airport
– Some facilities continue to operate normally (Seattle-Tacoma had normal checkpoint times; LAX reported average waits of about two minutes in some terminals).
– New York-area terminals and others have seen longer waits—up to around 30 minutes in some terminals at Newark and JFK.
– In low-staff situations, airports may temporarily close or consolidate checkpoints (Philadelphia closed Terminal C briefly and reassigned officers to other checkpoints; that helped restore normal waits in open areas).
– Conditions can change day to day, or even hour to hour.
How to check wait times before you go
– Check your departure airport’s website or official social channels—many update checkpoint wait estimates hourly for each security lane.
– Use the TSA MyTSA app for estimated wait times, but note some figures are historical averages rather than live feeds.
– Check your airline’s app or texts for gate and flight updates; airlines sometimes post advisories about recommended arrival times.
Ways to speed through security
– TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are operating; PreCheck lets you keep shoes, belts, laptops and liquids in your bag in most lanes. Applications and interviews can take days to weeks, so plan ahead.
– Clear offers onsite sign-up at many airports and can move you to the front of the PreCheck line; it includes a free trial at many locations, then a roughly $209 annual fee. Check whether your credit card offers a Clear statement credit.
– TSA Touchless ID lanes use a facial scan for ID verification and can speed the process for enrolled PreCheck members linked to a frequent-flyer account. Availability is expanding at dozens of airports.
Practical tips for travel during the shutdown
– Arrive earlier than usual: many airports advise at least three hours before domestic flights and four hours before international departures while staffing is uncertain.
– Pack carry-on items so you can move quickly through checkpoints; if you don’t have PreCheck, be ready to remove liquids and electronics.
– Consider earlier or later flights, alternate nearby airports, or flexible tickets if possible.
– Monitor airport and TSA updates on the day of travel and sign up for airline alerts.
Bottom line
Expect variability and plan extra time. Use airport websites and apps for current waits, consider expedited options if you travel often, and arrive earlier than normal while staffing remains uncertain.