As travel ramps up with spring break travelers and more TSA workers calling out of work, wait times at U.S. airports have become unpredictable. While some travelers report breezy security checkpoints, others face four-hour delays and lines snaking through baggage claim areas in what some on social media are calling “organized chaos.”
Others have quipped that if your flight leaves next month, you’ve already missed it.
The disruptions stem from a funding lapse for the Department of Homeland Security amid a partial government shutdown as Congress negotiates a budget. Transportation Security Administration officers have not been paid since mid-February.
The lack of pay caused by the partial shutdown is prompting some TSA agents to call out of work and has led others to quit their jobs entirely, creating staffing shortages and lengthy wait times in airport security lines. It has also prompted Delta Air Lines to temporarily suspend travel perks usually given to Congress members.
As many Americans prepare for spring break flights, here are some things to know before you travel, such as why ICE agents have been sent to airports, which airports have been affected the most and how long these lines actually are.
ICE agents deployed to major hubs
To combat staffing shortages, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were sent to 14 airports Monday, according to CNN.
Border czar Tom Homan told CNN on March 22 that ICE agents could help free up TSA agents from other duties.
“I don’t see an ICE agent looking at an X-ray machine, because they’re not trained in that, but there are certain parts of security that TSA’s doing and we can move them off those jobs and put them in the specialized jobs and help move those lines,” he said.
Homan added ICE agents are being used in support roles, like guarding exits and handling non-screening tasks.
He also said that ICE agents’ purpose at airports is not about conducting immigration enforcement, but it’s “about helping TSA do their mission and getting the American public through the airport as quick as they can, while adhering to all the security guidelines and protocols.”
TSA staffing hit shutdown lows
TSA staffing reached its lowest levels over the weekend since the shutdown began, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
A March 22 post from the White House said that over 400 TSA officers have quit their jobs since funding stopped.
Can you cancel or refund your flight?
Some passengers are missing departures despite arriving hours early. While the DHS website provides general updates and tips to make a flight on time, individual airlines are offering varying levels of flexibility.
- Delta, United and Allegiant have introduced flexible policies for cancellations and refunds.
- Southwest is allowing cancellations up to 10 minutes before departure.
Travelers are encouraged to check their specific airlines’ apps and updates for the most current policy changes.
How to check TSA wait times
The shutdown has limited updates available on the MYTSA app and the TSA website, so individual airport websites and social accounts will be travelers’ best bet to gauge accurate wait times, according to Today.
Are TSA PreCheck and Clear affected?
The short answer is it depends, as security wait times will vary by location, time of day and staffing levels. According to News Nation, available data suggested TSA PreCheck was still faster at several major airports on March 23.
Major airports seeing highest wait times
The Department of Homeland Security has shared data from the airports that have had the highest rates of TSA officers calling out of work amid the partial government shutdown.
On March 22, the call-out rate was 11.76% across all airports nationwide, with over 3,450 TSA workers who called out, the highest rate since the shutdown began, according to Today.
As of March 22, the major airports with the highest call-out rates were:
- Louis Armstrong International Airport, New Orleans: 42.3%
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta: 41.5%
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston: 39.1%
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore: 38.1%
- John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York: 37.4%
- Pittsburgh International Airport: 24.7%
- Philadelphia International Airport: 24.2%
On Tuesday, Houston’s airport was warning customers of delays of four hours or more, according to Business Insider.
Meanwhile in Atlanta, the airport was encouraging flyers to arrive at least four hours ahead of flight departure time.
JFK, New York’s largest airport, temporarily suspended wait-time reporting on its website and warned travelers that wait times could change quickly with TSA staffing and passenger volume fluctuating throughout the day.
Delta suspends specialty services for Congress
Delta Air Lines announced on Tuesday that it would be suspending its specialty services typically offered to members of Congress at U.S. airports.
“Due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta,” the airline said in a statement to NBC News. “Next to safety, Delta’s No. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment.”
Typically, members of Congress have been given special accommodations at airports, including expedited screening at security checkpoints and escorts through terminals by TSA agents.
Delta will now treat members of Congress like any regular passenger based on their respective SkyMiles loyalty status, not their elected office, Delta stated.
Delays will likely remain until Congress votes to restore funding to DHS.