Some TSA Lines Are Minutes, Others Hours. What’s going on?

For travelers hoping to board a flight this week, inclement weather and long security lines are likely to cause headaches at the airport.

As the partial government shutdown affecting funding for the Transportation Security Administration moves forward, TSA officials have been walking out of work in high numbers after missing out on their first paycheck.

“It hurts their finances,” Johnny Jones, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFGE TSA Council 100 and a Dallas-based TSA employee, told USA TODAY. “My family had to leave our travel plans, everyone has problems.

Jones acknowledged that TSA agents have been out of work, and said many have had to find other ways to earn money as the shutdown continues.

“There is no end, they don’t know how long it will last,” he said.

For travelers, long lines can be frustrating and stressful.

Are Long Airport Security Lines Real?

Yes, but they can vary.

At Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas, the line was out the door to check in on March 16, while at Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, wait times were reportedly less than 5 minutes.

AUS posted a photo to X showing the general security line of its Checkpoint 1 extending from the outside of the building, well past the sidewalk and into the walkway at 4:30 am local time on March 16. The video passes flyers with backpacks and rolling suitcases, alternately inching forward and standing still under a dark sky as they move into position on a home screen. By 5:30 a.m., the line had shortened and he got inside at 5:41, according to a subsequent post, although the airport noted that “we were still seeing some lines outside for general CLEAR checks.”

Since TSA agent calls are not scheduled, wait times at airports are unpredictable.

Erik Hansen, senior vice president of government relations at the US Travel Association, told USA TODAY that even the threat of long security lines can disrupt travel.

“The calls are not organized, which is why travelers face the risk of really long lines and the unpredictability of whether it will be a waiting time of 15 minutes or a waiting time of three hours,” he said, noting that travelers should prepare for the worst case when going to the airport, even if in the end they do not have to wait in long lines.

The USTA is asking members of Congress to pass legislation to end the shutdown and restore fair play.

Many flyers have taken to social media to note how unusual and confusing this situation can be.

“I’ve never seen anything like the TSA lines at LaGuardia yet. INSANE,” one user wrote on Bluesky. “I’m sure the line goes back to Midtown.”

“We’re making it clear as a result that we want to make sure (TSA officers) are paid, that they’re working and getting the checks they deserve to keep Americans safe when they fly,” Hansen said. “We are telling (members of Congress) that this is unacceptable, that they are keeping America waiting, that they are bringing America down.”

What If I Miss My Flight Due to Long Lines at TSA?

You are not entitled to a refund if you miss your flight due to long security lines, so be sure to leave extra time at the airport if you are traveling during the closure.

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment on whether there has been a significant change in passengers missing their flights. United Airlines said it had no data to share.

When Will TSA Lines Return to Normal?

It depends.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (TSA is part of DHS) told USA TODAY in a statement that security screening delays are likely to increase as the shutdown continues.

“American travelers across the country are facing hours-long airport lines, which will only get worse as these closures continue,” the statement said. “More than 300 TSA officers have walked off the job since the DHS shutdown began and callouts are nearly double the normal rate.”

A spokeswoman said DHS expects the number of resignations and recall to extend the extended shutdown period. While TSA agents missed their first full paycheck on March 13, most had received only a small payment last pay period.

“If you get a partial salary, if you expect $2,000 and you get $500, then you expect $2,000 and you get zero, now you’re $3,500 in the hole,” Jones said. “I don’t have anyone to call and ask for $3,500.”

For travelers, the best thing to do right now is to leave extra time at the airport and check your airport’s website and social media for the latest information on wait times, as TSA pages are not updated during the closure.

Also, remember to treat TSA officers who show up to work with respect.

“If you’re stuck in a long line and you’re in a situation where you’re going to miss your flight, just know, or if your lines are long and you make your flight, just know that it’s not the TSA officer’s fault. The people who come to work make sure they follow policies and procedures to make sure you get to your destination safely,” Jones said. “Because the line is long, we cannot deviate from those policies and procedures; the risk is too high in the situation we find ourselves in.”

Zach Wichter is a travel journalist and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York, and you can find him at [email protected].

This article first appeared in USA TODAY: Some TSA lines are minutes, others are hours. What’s going on?

Reporting by Zach Wichter, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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