Why Your TSA Airport Strategy Needs to Change Right Now

If you’re heading to the airport soon, be prepared to wait in line much longer than you normally do.

According to CNN, the partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security is continuing, and TSA lines have been wrapped around in airports across the United States. Funding for this department lapsed in mid-February.

While lines were long at many airports, Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport shared that its TSA lines stretched for more than three hours on March 8th. The airport was advising people to arrive four to five hours before their flights. On a social media post, they said, “The Government shutdown may impact security operations from one day – and even one shift to the next. We appreciate your patience and understanding as our federal partners work to maintain the safety of all passengers.”

At Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, passengers were encouraged to arrive three hours before their scheduled departure time, and footage showed their security lines going outside the airport and into the parking garage.

TSA workers received only a partial paycheck on February 28th, and they will miss their first full paycheck on March 14th.

It looks like long TSA lines are not going away anytime soon, so if you are heading to the airport soon, we highly recommend arriving early to ensure you can get through security before your flight departs. It’s also good to be extra patient as TSA employees continue to work without receiving full pay.

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