How long is TSA wait now?

TSA lines are growing and delays vary by airport

Multiple updates describe worsening airport security waits as the partial government shutdown continues. TSA officers have reportedly gone without pay for weeks, and the resulting staffing and operational strain is showing up as longer lines and more time in the security checkpoint.

The coverage repeatedly frames the problem in the same way: while some airports may still be moving close to typical levels, the situation can change quickly—especially as spring break and heavy travel periods overlap with the shutdown. In the most severe examples cited, waits can reach multiple hours at major airports.

Because the stories don’t provide a single universal “average wait time” that applies everywhere, the best assumption for planning is that waits can be longer than you’re used to, and they may fluctuate from day to day.

What travelers can take from this

• Don’t rely on historical norms. If you usually arrive close to departure time, you may be cutting it too fine.
• Treat security as the critical path. Long TSA lines are a common reason passengers miss boarding deadlines.
• If you have connections, add buffer. Security delays don’t stay isolated; they can compound throughout the terminal.

What’s most likely driving it

The underlying cause in the updates is direct: unpaid TSA screening staffing during the shutdown has reduced throughput, and that has created a backlog. As the situation continues, airports may see additional disruptions.

Bottom line: planning should assume wider variability and the possibility of multi-hour waits, particularly at large hubs.