Record-Breaking TSA Wait Times Grip U.S. Airports Amid Government Shutdown Chaos
By Staff Reporter | March 25, 2026
Travelers across the United States are enduring the longest TSA security wait times in history, with some lines stretching over four hours as a partial government shutdown enters its sixth week.[1]
Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill testified before a House committee on Wednesday that airports are facing unprecedented delays, some exceeding 4.5 hours, due to severe staffing shortages triggered by the funding lapse for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).[1] The shutdown, which began on February 14, has left TSA officers—deemed essential workers—working without pay, prompting record absenteeism and resignations.[1]
Shutdown’s Ripple Effect on Air Travel
The crisis stems directly from the ongoing partial government shutdown affecting DHS, TSA’s parent agency. TSA agents continue screening passengers but without paychecks, leading many to call out or seek second jobs.[1] On Sunday alone, over 3,450 officers failed to report for duty, pushing the call-out rate to nearly 12%—the highest since the shutdown started.[1]
Compounding the issue, more than 480 TSA agents have resigned since February 14, further straining operations at major hubs.[1] Acting Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl warned last week that without resolution, smaller airports could face closure.[1]
Worst-Hit Airports: Atlanta, Houston Lead the Delays
Major airports like Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental are issuing stark warnings of 4-hour-plus waits.[2] Atlanta has been ravaged since the shutdown’s onset, with over a third of TSA staff absent on peak days.[2] Houston’s website reported around 3-hour morning rushes on Wednesday, advising passengers to plan accordingly.[2]
New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airports have suspended real-time wait reporting due to volatile conditions influenced by staffing and passenger surges.[2] Newark, which halted all flights Monday after a control tower evacuation, urges extra time and airline checks.[2]
Not every airport is equally impacted. Dallas-Fort Worth and Denver report lines under 15 minutes as of Wednesday, while Las Vegas saw minimal delays last week.[2] However, historical data highlights persistent hotspots: Newark averages 23.1 minutes, Houston 19.8 minutes, and Miami 19.6 minutes under normal conditions, with peaks far worse now.[4]
| Airport | Average Wait (mins) |
|---|---|
| Newark Liberty (EWR) | 23.1 |
| Houston George Bush (IAH) | 19.8 |
| Miami International (MIA) | 19.6 |
| Baltimore-Washington (BWI) | 18.2 |
| Las Vegas Harry Reid (LAS) | 17.3 |
ICE Deployment and Passenger Workarounds
In a controversial move, ICE officers have been dispatched to 14 airports starting Monday to assist with security, as announced by White House border czar Tom Homan.[1] This deployment aims to alleviate some pressure but has sparked debate over immigration enforcement at travel hubs.
Desperate passengers are flocking to alternatives like CLEAR, a biometric service skipping standard ID checks at about 60 airports.[2] Airport officials universally recommend arriving three or more hours early to buffer against the chaos.[1]
“Airports are experiencing the highest wait times in TSA history, with some wait times greater than four and a half hours.”
— Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill[1]
Broader Impacts and Calls for Resolution
Videos circulating online depict snaking lines filling terminals and spilling outdoors, turning what should be routine travel into an ordeal.[1] Airlines are scrambling, with some issuing delay alerts, while passengers risk missing flights despite early arrivals.
The shutdown’s toll extends beyond TSA: Customs and Border Protection faces similar strains, though air travel bears the brunt publicly. Lawmakers on both sides express urgency, but partisan gridlock persists, with no end in sight as of Wednesday.
Tools like the TSA’s MyTSA app and airport websites offer real-time checks, though reliability varies amid suspended reporting at key sites.[2] Travelers are advised to monitor these, pack patience, and consider flexible itineraries.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
This marks the latest in a series of shutdown-induced disruptions, echoing past furloughs that spiked delays. Pre-shutdown, airports like Salt Lake City boasted short 9.1-minute averages, underscoring how drastically conditions have deteriorated.[4]
Without congressional action to restore DHS funding, experts predict worsening trends, potential cancellations, and economic fallout for airlines and tourism. TSA leadership pleads for resolution to retain staff and normalize operations.
As spring break looms, millions face tough choices: endure the lines or ground plans. For now, the skies remain open but the path through security is anything but smooth.
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