DHS Shutdown May Impact TSA Wait Times

A new partial federal government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has affected airport security officers, requiring travelers to pack their patience ahead of the busy spring break travel season.

As part of the partial shutdown, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are currently working without pay, according to the agency. Non-essential services have also been suspended.

“A prolonged shutdown could result in significant attrition and increased callout rates of our officers including noticeable impacts at airports, including delays, longer wait times and cancelled flights,” Adam Stahl, the senior official performing the duties of deputy administrator for the TSA, said in a statement posted on the agency’s X account.

The latest partial shutdown comes on the heels of the longest government shutdown late last year.

Industry stakeholders have warned the current shutdown could result in slower or closed TSA security lines and lost revenue for the travel industry as a whole. In a joint statement shared with Travel + Leisure, leaders from the U.S. Travel Association, Airlines for America, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association estimated last year’s shutdown led to an economic impact of $6 billion and disrupted travel for more than 6 million travelers.

“Travelers and the U.S. economy cannot afford to have essential TSA personnel working without pay, which increases the risk of unscheduled absences and call outs, and ultimately can lead to higher wait times and missed or delayed flights,” the group said in the statement. “Funding uncertainties create lasting damage to the entire travel ecosystem, especially the airlines, hotels and thousands of small businesses the travel industry supports.”

With the potential for longer lines, travelers can be proactive by ensuring they head to the airport with plenty of time before their flight. Experts generally recommend arriving at least two hours before a scheduled departure for domestic flights and arriving at least three hours early for international flights.

Expedited security programs like TSA PreCheck can also save time in airport lines since travelers don’t need to take their shoes off or remove items like laptops and liquids from their bags, as can programs like Clear Plus, which recently launched new digital eGates at select airports across the country in an effort to “modernize and streamline” airport security screenings.

Many airports also offer live insights into security wait times on their websites, including New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Orlando International Airport (MCO), and more.