The Long Lines at TSA Airports Have Been Due to the U.S. Government Shutdown

The ongoing shutdown of the United States Federal Government is causing travelers to wait extended periods at security checkpoints in airports across the country. This is also impacting the role of The Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The shutdown has caused a reduction in staff, which in turn has caused longer lines and more delays at a number of major airports. This has caused traveler frustration and raised concerns about the effectiveness of security checks at airports in periods of high volume travel.

The closures come at an inopportune time for the airline industry. This shutdown is also coinciding with the start of the busy spring travel season, with millions of travelers expected to travel across the country. With more travelers and less TSA staff available, this creates a backlog at security checkpoints.

Wait times for security checks can exceed several hours.

Travelers nationwide have complained that they have waited hours at some airports to get through security. Some passengers have reported 3-hour waits for security clearance at Houston's William P. Hobby Airport. Some passengers have missed flights, and even caused airlines to delay flights, due to the 3.5-hour wait averages reported over the weekend.

Similar things have happened at other major airports, such as George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, as well as Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The lines have become so long that they extend beyond the security barriers and into the terminal, or surrounding areas.

Travelers describe the situation as thousands of people trying to get through security at the same time, which ultimately results in chaos. Some people arrived at the airport well in advance of their scheduled departure, yet still could not get to their gate in time. Many ultimately missed their scheduled flights due to lengthy, security line wait times.

Several airport authorities recommended that travelers arrive at airports well before their flights. Some travelers have been encouraged by airports to arrive as much as five hours before their scheduled flights to ensure that they have sufficient time to navigate check in and security procedures.

Recruitment issues have affected TSA operations.  

Inadequate recruitment has caused primary delays. Due to the federal government shut down, a large number of federal employees are working without pay, and TSA officers are essential employees, meaning that they continue to work, and, in some cases, they are not being compensated.

However, many employees are starting to stay home due to loss of pay. The federal government shut down continues, and there are numerous reports of TSA employees not showing up for work due to a lack of pay or some other personal issue.

Because there is a shortage of TSA employees, there have been reports of airport security checkpoints having to close some screening lanes. There are fewer screening lanes open, and therefore the remaining lanes have to take on a larger load, contributing to longer lines during peak traveling periods.

DHS, which oversees TSA, has explained that staffing shortages are causing extended wait times and increased issues at airports nationwide.

Shutdown Caused by Political Conflict

As a result of the ongoing conflict in Congress regarding funding for the Department of Homeland Security, the government has partially shut down. This conflict centers on the differing political views related to the enforcement of immigration policies and border security.

The funding shortfall directly impacts the TSA and the DHS. Security personnel continue to work despite not being paid as Congress continues to debate funding for the DHS.

Industry representatives have urged Congress to resolve this issue as the shutdown is likely to have a significant impact on the airline system. Airline personnel report that the conflict is affecting operational flight schedules and the overall experience of passengers at airports.

This is especially true during spring break, when the volume of travelers is higher.

The shutdown occurring at a peak travel time has created even greater problems. During spring break, airlines forecast approximately 171 million people are expected to be traveling, which is a 4% increase from this time last year.

Due to an increase in demand for travel, more people are arriving at airports for travel. The combination of increased travelers and decreased personnel creates even more long lines and delays.

Airlines are predicting that more delays will adversely affect the entire aviation system. If travelers are delayed at security, it will lead to delayed departures, missed connections, and disrupted flight schedules.

Consequences for Travelers

Travelers face greater uncertainty and frustration due to the shutdown. Many travelers are unsure of how early they need to arrive at the airport and whether security hold ups will result in them missing their flights.

Airlines and airport authorities are advising travelers to leave extra time for security checks, flight updates, and to arrive at the airport earlier than normal. Also, travelers should prepare notebooks and travel documents to increase the speed of security checks.  

Some airports have stated, due to persistent understaffing issues, that programs like TSA PreCheck will be unavailable to expedite security screening.

Aviation experts say that repeated government shutdowns will negatively impact the transportation system, even after the immediate delays are over. During previous shutdowns, several federal aviation employees quit due to employment to stop receiving pay, making difficult to cumbersome to fill critical roles.

If turnover is high, the TSA and similar agencies may have staffing problems in the future. Once turnover occurs, the effects of a shutdown continue even after funding is restored.The example also illustrates how political detachment impacts the aviation system. Travel disruption is almost guaranteed as critical elements of the travel system are reliant on government funding.

The Remaining Uncertainty

The future of how airport security functions is heavily dependent on the activities of Washington. It is likely that TSA officers will continue to work without pay, and passengers will likely continue to face lengthy security lines. This will remain the case until Congress decides to appropriate additional funding to the Department of Homeland Security.

People travelling to the airport in the coming weeks should prepare for delays and potentially unpredictable changes to security.

Airlines and airport operators are optimistic about the imminent end of the shutdown. However, the situation demonstrates the extent to which travel is impacted by an unregulated political climate. Millions of passengers are expected to travel over spring break and if there is no resolution to the current situation, the contours of airport security will be stretched to the limit.