TSA Delays Plummet at Major Airports

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Airport security wait times have sharply improved at major U.S. airports like Atlanta, Houston, and New York after the federal government ended a partial shutdown that had led to Transportation Security Administration staffing shortages and hours-long lines. Airports are now reporting wait times of 30 minutes or less at security checkpoints.

Why it matters

The long TSA delays had caused major disruptions for air travelers, especially during the busy spring break travel season. The return to normal operations at these major hubs is a relief for passengers and airlines alike.

The details

Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the world's busiest, had previously warned passengers to expect 4-hour waits at security checkpoints. But on Tuesday morning, the airport's website listed wait times of under 5 minutes at all checkpoints. Similarly, Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport saw its maximum wait times drop from 4 hours last week to just 30 minutes on Tuesday. Other major airports like JFK, LaGuardia, and Baltimore have also restored their estimated wait time features, with lines ranging from 20 to 43 minutes.

• On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to pay TSA agents, bringing many back to work after they had not been paid since mid-February during the partial government shutdown.
• TSA agents began receiving paychecks on Monday, though the shutdown is still ongoing.

What’s next

Congress is currently on a two-week recess, while the two parties remain at loggerheads over funding for the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It remains to be seen if the TSA staffing issues will resurface if the partial government shutdown continues.