Shutdown Spurs TSA Delays at Airports

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Multiple outlets including AP News, CNN, NBC News, CNBC, USA Today, and The Guardian report that the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has left TSA officers working without pay and created staffing shortages that are slowing security screening at some U.S. airports during the spring-break travel surge. The points below reflect facts confirmed by at least four of those organizations.

• The partial DHS shutdown has left TSA officers working without pay, contributing to staffing shortages.
• Security lines at some U.S. airports have stretched for hours, creating significant screening delays.
• Airports have urged travelers to arrive several hours early because of the TSA delays.
• Spring break travel demand is amplifying the impact of reduced TSA staffing at checkpoints.

Additional Details Reported

At Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport, wait times reached roughly three hours and the airport urged travelers to arrive four to five hours early, according to AP News and The Guardian. In New Orleans, the airport warned of waits up to two hours and asked passengers to arrive at least three hours before departure.

NBC News and CNBC cited wait-time advisories at major hubs including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, George Bush Intercontinental in Houston, and Charlotte Douglas, and noted statements from DHS and Airlines for America urging Congress and the administration to resolve the shutdown.

USA Today reported that DHS funding lapsed in mid-February and warned that the MyTSA app may not be updating accurately during the shutdown, advising travelers to build in extra time at checkpoints.

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