TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Impacted by Airport Security Staffing Shortages

Expedited screening programs see longer wait times as TSA officers call out amid government funding standoff.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 11:19am

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Travelers are facing hours-long security lines at some of the nation's busiest airports as a government funding standoff leaves the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) short-staffed. Wait times have surpassed four hours at airports like George Bush Intercontinental in Houston, with similarly long delays reported in Atlanta and New Orleans. While expedited screening programs like TSA PreCheck and CLEAR typically offer faster security, they have not been immune to the disruptions, with some locations closing PreCheck lanes or suspending CLEAR service.

Why it matters

The staffing shortages at TSA are a direct result of the ongoing government funding impasse, with thousands of officers working without pay since February 14th. This has led to a spike in officers calling out, further exacerbating the long security lines that travelers are facing at major airports across the country.

The details

More than 3,450 TSA officers called out of work on Sunday, March 22nd, accounting for 11.76% of the scheduled workforce. At airports like Houston's IAH, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson, and New Orleans' Louis Armstrong, the callout rate was around 40%. This has forced some airports to close their TSA PreCheck lanes and suspend CLEAR service, leaving travelers with no option but to face the lengthy standard security lines.

  • On Monday, March 24th, TSA PreCheck lanes closed at 10:30 a.m. at Bush Airport in Houston.
  • On Sunday, March 23rd, TSA PreCheck was unavailable at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport due to staffing shortages.
  • On Sunday, March 23rd, TSA PreCheck wait times climbed to 4-5 hours at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta.

The players

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

The federal agency responsible for airport security screening in the United States.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal department that oversees the TSA and other agencies responsible for national security.

CLEAR

A private company that provides expedited security screening services at over 150 lanes across 60 airports in the U.S.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.