TSA Warns Travelers to Expect Longer Wait Times at Airports During Government Shutdown

"Passengers across the country may experience longer wait times at airport security as the government shutdown drags on into a full week, forcing travelers to pack their patience. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) warned of longer wait times at airports across the country the longer the government remains shut down. Both TSA officers and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic controllers are classified as essential workers and will continue to work throughout the shutdown."

""While TSA is prepared to continue screening about 2.5 (million) passengers a day, an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports," a TSA spokesperson shared with Travel + Leisure. "We kindly ask for our passengers' patience during this time." The TSA spokesperson concluded: "Despite this challenge, we will remain vigilant and focused on performing our vital security mission on behalf of the American people." The agency added a more politically charged statement on X, blaming the funding lapse and the shutdown on "partisan politics of left-wing politicians.""

"Typically, the TSA updates security wait times on its app, MyTSA. However, a note published on the main dashboard of the app warns the information "will not be actively managed" during the shutdown. In some cases, individual airports publish their own wait times. New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), for example, publishes real-time security wait times on its website. Orlando International Airport (MCO) similarly publishes security wait times on the homepage of its website."

A continuing government shutdown is increasing airport security wait times as TSA and FAA essential workers remain on duty without pay. TSA can screen about 2.5 million passengers per day but warned that an extended shutdown could lengthen waits and asked passengers for patience. The TSA emphasized continued vigilance in carrying out its security mission while the MyTSA app will not have actively managed wait-time updates during the shutdown. Some airports provide their own real-time wait-time information, including JFK and Orlando International. Staffing strains and a rise in employees calling out sick have contributed to delays at several airports.

Read at Travel + Leisure