Travelers Frustrated by Long TSA Lines at BWI-Marshall

Airport urges passengers to arrive 3 hours early as partial government shutdown impacts staffing

Mar. 23, 2026 at 4:15pm

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Passengers at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI-Marshall) are facing lengthy wait times of up to 3 hours to get through TSA security checkpoints, with many missing their flights due to the delays. The partial government shutdown has led to over 400 TSA agents quitting their jobs, exacerbating the staffing shortages at the airport.

Why it matters

The extended wait times at BWI-Marshall are causing significant disruptions for travelers, many of whom are missing their flights and facing uncertainty about when they will be able to reach their destinations. The staffing shortages at TSA are a direct result of the ongoing partial government shutdown, highlighting the broader impact the political impasse is having on the lives of ordinary citizens.

The details

Passengers at BWI-Marshall have reported waiting in line for over an hour to get through security, with some missing their flights entirely. The airport is now urging travelers to arrive 3 hours before their scheduled departure time in order to account for the lengthy delays. The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that over 400 TSA agents have quit their jobs so far, exacerbating the staffing shortages that are contributing to the long lines.

  • The partial government shutdown began in late 2018 and is still ongoing as of March 2026.

The players

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI-Marshall)

A major international airport serving the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

A federal agency responsible for security in all modes of transportation, including air travel.

Department of Homeland Security

A federal executive department responsible for public security, including oversight of the TSA.

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What’s next

BWI-Marshall is encouraging passengers to arrive at the airport 3 hours before their scheduled flight departure time in order to account for the lengthy security lines. The Department of Homeland Security has not provided a timeline for when the staffing shortages at TSA may be resolved.

The takeaway

The extended wait times and long lines at BWI-Marshall are a direct consequence of the ongoing partial government shutdown, which has led to hundreds of TSA agents quitting their jobs. This disruption to air travel highlights the broader impact that political gridlock can have on the daily lives of ordinary citizens, underscoring the need for policymakers to find a resolution to the shutdown.