Airports Urge Travelers to Arrive Later as Security Lines Grow

Airports recommend 90-minute arrival times to avoid overcrowding and long waits

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:58pm

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A bold, geometric illustration depicting the grand scale and sweeping architecture of an airport, with smooth gradients and streamlined forms conveying the conceptual challenges of managing airport crowds and security lines.As airports struggle to manage the chaos of security lines, their unconventional advice to arrive later reflects the delicate balance between traveler convenience and operational efficiency.Columbus Today

Airports across the U.S. are now advising travelers to arrive later than the traditional recommendation, as staffing shortages and government shutdowns have led to lengthy security lines at many major airports. The John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, has taken the lead in this unusual advice, warning that arriving too early can actually make things worse by overcrowding the security checkpoints.

Why it matters

This unexpected advice from airports highlights the delicate balance between maintaining security and ensuring a smooth travel experience for passengers. The current travel chaos, driven by factors like government shutdowns and staffing issues, has strained airport operations and forced them to rethink traditional arrival time recommendations.

The details

The John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, is recommending that travelers arrive just 90 minutes before their departure, a stark contrast to the usual advice of arriving early, especially during peak travel seasons. By spacing out arrival times, the airport aims to keep security lines moving smoothly. This strategy is a response to the long wait times experienced at some major airports, with George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston reporting wait times of over four hours.

  • The government shutdown has strained the Transportation Security Administration's staffing, leading to wait times of over two hours at some major airports.
  • During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, travelers rushed to the airports, similar to the panic buying seen in stores, only to find themselves in long lines.

The players

John Glenn International Airport

An airport located in Columbus, Ohio that has taken the lead in advising travelers to arrive later than the traditional recommendation to avoid overcrowding and long security lines.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

A major airport in Houston, Texas that has experienced wait times of over four hours at its security checkpoints due to staffing shortages and government shutdowns.

Shari Botwin

A clinical social worker who explains the traveler behavior of rushing to the airports as a natural response to a lack of control and the media's attention on airport chaos.

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What they’re saying

“The key takeaway here is that while airports are urging travelers to arrive later, the underlying issue of staffing shortages and government shutdowns remains.”

— Author

“This situation highlights the delicate balance between traveler convenience and airport operations, and it's a reminder that sometimes, the early bird might just miss the worm after all.”

— Author

What’s next

As airports and travelers navigate through these challenges, it will be crucial to find a balance between maintaining security and ensuring a smooth travel experience. Innovative solutions to prevent such chaotic scenes in the future will need to be explored.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the need for a reevaluation of strategies for managing airport crowds and the resilience of our travel infrastructure. It's a reminder that sometimes, traditional advice may need to be reconsidered to adapt to changing circumstances and ensure a more efficient and less stressful travel experience for all.