Will TSA wait times rise during a shutdown?

What travelers should expect and how to prepare

Airport security officers have been required to work without pay when federal funding lapses, and that reality has immediate operational consequences. Staffing shortages at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints can make lines longer and more unpredictable, especially at major hubs and during peak travel days. While some airports may manage with overtime and redistributing staff, others could see wait times spike quickly if enough officers call out or if local staffing is already thin.

Practical steps to reduce risk

• Give yourself more time: arrive at the airport earlier than usual, especially for domestic flights and during busy periods.
• Monitor real-time updates: check your airline and the airport’s social media or status pages for delay notices before leaving for the airport.
• Use expedited screening when possible: enroll in TSA PreCheck or CLEAR if you haven’t already; members generally move through checkpoints faster.
• Consider alternate airports or earlier flights: moving to a less-busy terminal or an earlier departure reduces exposure to sudden delays.

What remains uncertain

It’s still unclear how long any disruption will last or how widely it will affect specific airports on any given day. Some transportation advocacy groups and industry associations warn that a partial shutdown could produce multi-day effects at busy hubs. For travelers with tight connections, nonrefundable reservations, or same-day events, the safest plan is to build cushion time into itineraries and to keep contact information for airlines and travel insurers at hand.

If you must travel during a funding lapse, expect the unexpected: prepare for longer lines, keep digital copies of tickets and IDs, and have a contingency plan if security delays cause missed flights.