TSA Lines Hit Hours-Long Delays
A partial government shutdown has led to hours-long TSA security lines at major U.S. airports including Houston, New Orleans, and Atlanta. TSA staff are working without pay, and travelers are advised to arrive at least three hours early to account for the delays.
The current partial government shutdown, which began on February 14, 2026, is the second of the year and specifically impacts the Department of Homeland Security. The funding lapse stems from a congressional dispute over immigration enforcement reforms. This has left approximately 50,000 to 61,000 TSA officers, who are considered "essential," working without pay. The financial strain on TSA agents is mounting, with many having received only a partial paycheck in early March and facing their first full missed paycheck. This has led to what the Department of Homeland Security calls "crippling staffing shortages" at some airports. During a previous 43-day government shutdown in 2025, the TSA saw a 25% increase in employee departures in the following months, raising concerns about a similar exodus now. The staffing issues are colliding with a surge in spring break travel, with a record 171 million passengers expected to fly in March and April. The combination of fewer staff and more travelers has resulted in security lines snaking through terminals and even into parking garages at airports like Louis Armstrong New Orleans International. Houston's Hobby Airport has been hit particularly hard, with wait times reaching up to 3.5 hours and officials advising passengers to arrive four to five hours before their flights. Travelers at other major hubs, including Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, have also faced significantly longer-than-average lines. The delays have caused numerous passengers to miss their flights.
