How can you avoid TSA delays during shutdown?

Beating TSA delays: what to do when security lines spike

During a period of airport disruption, multiple reports described major TSA staffing shortages that drove longer security waits at large U.S. hubs. In that environment, “what to do” becomes as important as “what to bring.”

One theme across the coverage is that delays weren’t evenly distributed: some cities and airports saw consistently worse wait times than others. Another theme is that travelers looked for faster options, including premium screening add-ons.

Practical steps travelers can take now

• Arrive earlier than usual. When staffing is reduced, the buffer that normally covers “normal” variance may not be enough.
• Check where the worst lines are. Since wait times vary by airport, planning around your specific departure airport matters more than generic advice.
• Consider expedited programs if you’re eligible. Coverage highlighted tools and concierge-style solutions designed to reduce time in TSA screening lines (for example, services tied to Clear). These don’t eliminate delays universally, but they can materially improve the odds.
• Use apps that map airport disruption. A travel app feature was described as decoding airport chaos by showing delay rates and disruptions across thousands of airports.

What to prioritize at the airport

• Have ID and boarding documents ready so you don’t lose time once you reach the front.
• Avoid last-minute changes that cause people to rejoin lines or re-clear steps.

In short, the cost-effective strategy is early arrival plus airport-specific monitoring; the “premium” strategy is using expedited screening add-ons where eligible. Both approaches matter because the underlying problem is operational staffing capacity, which can’t be solved instantly by individual travelers.