Travellers across major US airports are experiencing significant security delays as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) contends with severe staff shortages. The situation persists despite an executive order from President Donald Trump to reinstate paychecks for federal employees affected by a partial government shutdown.
The staffing crisis, which began during a funding standoff that left TSA officers unpaid, has led to wait times exceeding four hours at some locations. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest, continues to warn passengers of these extreme delays for both domestic and international flights.
Widespread Delays and Airport-Specific Impacts
As of a recent Saturday, security checkpoint wait times varied dramatically across the country. Passengers at Orlando International Airport faced queues of nearly 50 minutes, while some gates at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York had waits of up to 37 minutes.
Newark Liberty International Airport, which recently suspended all flights after a control tower evacuation, warned that security waits may be "significantly longer than normal" and has suspended its live wait time reporting. Conversely, other major hubs like Dallas-Fort Worth and Denver reported maximum lines of just 12 minutes, with some checkpoints having zero wait time.
Root Causes: Attrition and Training Delays
The core issue is a rapid depletion of staff. TSA Deputy Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill testified that nearly 500 officers had quit since the partial shutdown began in February, compounding the loss of over 1,000 agents during a full government shutdown in 2025.
"Wait times can change quickly based on passenger volume and TSA staffing," JFK Airport stated on its website, advising passengers to "allow extra time." The agency, which employs around 50,000 officers, requires 4 to 6 weeks to complete training for new recruits, meaning shortages cannot be resolved quickly.
Advice for Travellers and Alternative Services
In response to the disruptions, many airports are advising travellers to arrive up to three hours before a domestic flight. Some passengers are turning to services like CLEAR, a biometric identity programme that bypasses standard TSA ID checks at approximately 60 airports.
Travellers can check live wait times on some airport websites or use the MyTSA mobile app. However, the TSA notes it is not "actively" managing its sites during the partial shutdown, so app data may rely on historical averages and not be fully updated.
Political Impasse Prolongs Uncertainty
Although the Department of Homeland Security said TSA officers could see back pay as early as a Monday following the executive order, the underlying political standoff continues. The Senate voted to pass a bill to fund Homeland Security, but House Republicans rejected it, pushing forward an alternative plan and potentially prolonging the shutdown.
Deputy Administrator McNeill warned that the open roles may not be filled in time for the increased travel demand expected for the FIFA World Cup in June, suggesting disruptions could persist for the foreseeable future.