If you’re planning to fly during a government shutdown, you’re likely to face some of the longest and most unpredictable security lines in recent memory. With record numbers of travelers and hundreds of TSA officers quitting or calling out sick, airports across the United States have become bottlenecks of uncertainty and frustration. But while the situation is challenging, there are practical steps you can take to minimize your risk of missing a flight—and to keep your sanity intact. Whether you’re a seasoned road warrior or a spring break traveler, understanding the new realities of airport security is essential. Here’s what you need to know, and how to best prepare.
Short answer: Travelers should arrive significantly earlier than usual—at least three hours before domestic flights and four for international departures—monitor their specific airport’s wait times and advisories, pack strategically to avoid delays at security, and consider enrolling in expedited screening programs like TSA PreCheck or CLEAR if possible. With TSA staff shortages and unpredictable conditions, flexibility and vigilance are key.
Why Security Lines Are So Much Longer
The root of the problem is staffing. During a government shutdown, TSA officers are considered “essential” and must report to work, but they are not paid until a funding bill is passed. As a result, morale plummets and many officers call out sick or resign. According to npr.org, more than 300 TSA officers have quit since the February shutdown began, and at peak moments, over half of TSA staff at Houston airports called in sick, with similar absentee rates in Atlanta and New Orleans. The Department of Homeland Security posted that “call-outs reached a staggering 55%” at Houston Hobby Airport, and that 366 officers have left the force during this shutdown (eu.usatoday.com).
With fewer officers available, airports often close entire security checkpoints, funneling all passengers through fewer lanes and causing lines to balloon. Philadelphia closed three checkpoints in a single week due to short staffing (opb.org). Wait times at major hubs like Atlanta and Houston have reached two hours or more, and even travelers with TSA PreCheck have found their expedited lanes unexpectedly closed, forcing everyone into the same slow-moving queue.
The timing couldn’t be worse: Spring break, the Men’s FIFA World Cup, and the start of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations have combined to set a record for air travel demand, with 2.8 million people expected to fly daily in March and April—totaling 171 million passengers (townandcountrymag.com, kuow.org). As flightqueue.com notes, the shutdown “coincides with one of the busiest travel periods of the year, putting additional pressure on an already strained system.”
How Early Should You Arrive?
The old rule—two hours for domestic, three for international—is now outdated. All major sources, including usa.today.com and flightqueue.com, recommend arriving at least three hours before domestic flights and four hours before international departures. At some airports hit hardest by staff shortages, even this may not be enough. For example, New Orleans’s airport is advising three hours for all departures, domestic or international (opb.org).
Smaller airports, which typically have lighter traffic, are not immune. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if staffing shortages worsen, “smaller airports may be forced to temporarily close” (npr.org, alltoc.com). If your itinerary includes a layover, choose one with ample buffer time for possible delays at security and between gates.
Checking Security Wait Times—and Why It’s Tricky
Getting up-to-date information is crucial, but the shutdown has affected even the usual tools. The TSA’s own MyTSA app and website, which normally provide 15-minute interval estimates, are not being regularly updated because of the staffing crisis (townandcountrymag.com, kuow.org). However, many airports are taking matters into their own hands, posting current wait times on their websites and social media feeds. Before you leave for the airport, check your departure airport’s official site or follow its social media accounts for the latest guidance.
Some travel experts recommend going further: “Knowledge is power,” as quoted on kuow.org. Know whether your airport is one of the 20 in the U.S. where private contractors, not TSA, handle screening. These airports—including San Francisco International and Kansas City International—are not experiencing the same staffing shortages or line delays, so if you have flexibility, consider rerouting your trip through one of these (opb.org, kuow.org).
Pack to Speed Up Security
With fewer officers on duty, any bag flagged for a manual check can cause much longer waits. To avoid unnecessary delays, pack with security in mind. Follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule precisely, keep electronics easily accessible, and double-check for prohibited items before you leave home (flightqueue.com). A well-packed bag can save you—and everyone behind you—precious minutes.
Expedited Screening: TSA PreCheck and CLEAR
If you already have TSA PreCheck, use it. PreCheck lanes have remained open at most airports and tend to move much faster, even during shutdowns, because they require less intensive screening (flightqueue.com, townandcountrymag.com). Not all airports or airlines participate, so check ahead to make sure you’ll have access.
CLEAR, a privately run biometric verification service, is another option that lets you skip the standard ID line. Because it’s not a government agency, CLEAR is unaffected by the shutdown and is fully operational. Membership costs $209 per year, though some travelers can get discounts or free access through airline loyalty programs or premium credit cards (townandcountrymag.com).
If you don’t have PreCheck or CLEAR, it may be too late to enroll for an upcoming trip, as some enrollment centers are experiencing their own delays or suspensions. But if you travel frequently, investing in these programs now could pay off in the future. PreCheck costs about $78–$85 for five years, and some credit cards cover the fee (flightqueue.com).
Don’t Rely on Airlines to Rebook You
One crucial detail: Airlines are not required to compensate or rebook passengers who miss flights because of long security lines—that’s considered within your control (eu.usatoday.com). Some may rebook as a courtesy, but you shouldn’t count on it. The best-case scenario is arriving early and spending extra time at the gate; the worst case is missing your flight and being left to scramble for alternatives.
Watch for Potential Airport Closures
While most attention is on long lines, there’s a real risk that some airports—especially smaller ones—could temporarily close if staffing drops further. “If a deal isn’t cut, you’re going to see what’s happening today look like child’s play,” warned Transportation Secretary Duffy on npr.org. During the last major shutdown, hundreds of flights were delayed or canceled because of TSA staff shortages, resulting in cascading problems for the entire travel system (flightqueue.com).
Because conditions are changing rapidly, flexibility is your best asset. Monitor your flight status right up to departure; security congestion can cause airlines to delay departures, but not always. Use real-time resources like FlightQueue or your airline’s app to track both your security wait and your flight’s status (flightqueue.com).
Consider Alternative Airports
If you have the option, look into flying out of a smaller regional airport, which may have shorter lines during the shutdown. However, check first—some small airports may be more vulnerable to closure if staffing falls below critical levels (alltoc.com, npr.org).
What Still Works: Mobile Passport and International Arrivals
For international travelers, the Mobile Passport app remains available at participating airports, providing a faster, app-based route through U.S. Customs (flightqueue.com). Global Entry had a temporary shutdown but has partially restarted for returning travelers; however, interviews for new applicants are still suspended at many locations.
Final Thoughts: Uncertainty Is the New Normal
“Every day this goes on, it’s getting worse and worse and worse,” said one travel expert quoted by kuow.org. The biggest challenge is not just the length of the lines, but the unpredictability. What was a two-hour wait yesterday could be three hours today, and a closed checkpoint tomorrow. As one traveler found at JFK, even having PreCheck isn’t a guarantee—sometimes expedited lanes are closed, “so then everyone that was funneled through the regular line, it was an extra like 20, 30 minutes” (kuow.org).
In summary, the key strategies are: arrive earlier than you ever have before, check your airport’s website for updated wait times, pack smart, use expedited screening if you have it, and prepare for the unexpected. The current environment is challenging, but with preparation and patience, you can navigate it more smoothly.
The situation is evolving, and while travel demand remains “insatiable” (kuow.org), the best defense is vigilance, flexibility, and a willingness to trade a little extra time at the airport for the peace of mind that comes with making your flight.