TSA Airport Delays: Long Lines, Shutdown & Spring Break Travel Chaos

Long lines and unpredictable delays are plaguing U.S. Airports as spring break travel surges while the Department of Homeland Security remains partially shut down, leaving Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners working without pay.

At Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), roughly half of TSA staff called out sick last week, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Similar staffing shortages were reported in Atlanta and Recent Orleans, where Louis Armstrong International Airport advised passengers to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled departures. In Philadelphia, airport officials were forced to close three security checkpoints due to insufficient personnel.

The disruption comes as the shutdown, triggered by a congressional impasse over immigration enforcement, enters its sixth week. Congressional Democrats have refused to fund the agency in an attempt to force reforms of federal immigration enforcement practices. Approximately 50,000 TSA employees are currently working without pay, having missed their first full paycheck last week and over 300 TSA officers have resigned since the shutdown began on February 14th.

On Saturday, President Trump threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airport security lanes if Democrats do not “immediately” agree to fund DHS. “I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before, including the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have approach into our Country,” Trump posted on Truth Social. He followed up by instructing ICE to “Acquire READY” for deployment on Monday.

Transportation officials are warning that the situation could deteriorate further if the shutdown continues. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told CNN on Friday that a second missed paycheck would place even greater strain on TSA workers. “If a deal isn’t cut, you’re going to see what’s happening today look like child’s play,” Duffy said. He added that some smaller airports may be forced to temporarily close if more staff members call out sick.

The travel surge is exacerbating the problem. Airlines for America projects 2.8 million passengers per day in March and April, totaling a record 171 million travelers. This demand is occurring alongside disruptions caused by severe weather patterns.

The disruptions are also being felt internationally. The U.K.’s Foreign Office has issued warnings about “travel disruption” due to “longer than usual queues at some U.S. Airports,” advising passengers to check with their travel providers.

Billionaire Elon Musk offered to personally cover the salaries of TSA personnel during the funding impasse, posting on X, “I would like to offer to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during this funding impasse that is negatively affecting the lives of so many Americans at airports throughout the country.” However, U.S. Law generally prohibits government employees from accepting outside compensation for their work.

Despite the challenges, travel demand remains robust. United Airlines announced Friday it would reduce some flights over the next six months due to a doubling of jet fuel prices, linked to the war in Iran. However, Clint Henderson, a spokesperson for The Points Guy, noted that this has not deterred travelers. “The appetite for travel is insatiable,” he said. “People seem willing to endure a lot of stuff to travel. And I don’t see any signs of that decreasing.”

Travel experts recommend checking airport websites for estimated security wait times, though they caution that these estimates can change rapidly. Some 20 U.S. Airports utilize private security contractors, and are not experiencing the same staffing shortages as TSA-run facilities. These include San Francisco International Airport and Kansas City International Airport. Travelers are also advised to budget extra time, consider enrolling in expedited screening programs like TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, and have a backup plan in case of flight cancellations or missed connections.

According to the Department of Transportation, passengers are entitled to a refund if an airline cancels their flight within the U.S.