In the fall of 2025, during the longest government shutdown in United States history, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) lost some 1,100 agents, a 25% jump in resignations from the year before.
Many have yet to be replaced.
And with TSA workers again being forced to work for less—about 30% of their usual salaries, thanks to a lapse in funding for the Department of Homeland Security, with a total cessation of pay expected on March 13—many have been calling in sick, or just not showing up for work.
These absences created multi-hour waits to get though security at many of the nation's airports this past weekend, a situation that is bound to get worse—71 million travelers are expected to fly through U.S. airports for spring break, and the World Cup, in the coming months. That's a 4% increase from last year.
Over the weekend, the situation was at its most dire at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. The wait to get through security reached 3.5 hours in Texas, 3 hours in Louisiana. Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport also had substantial delays. Many passengers missed their flights at all four.
We expect the sickouts to move to other airports in the coming days should the political standoff continue.
Strategies for Getting Where You're Going If You're Flying in the Coming Days
Make a plan the day before your flight
There are now a number of apps, as well as airport websites, that will tell you what the average wait time for security is currently. Check them a day before your flight, and again the morning you're traveling, so that you can budget enough time to get through security.
Dress for the elements, bring snacks, and consider getting a friend to take you to the airport (or take a car service)
Over the weekend, lines at the airports above often stretched out of the terminal onto the sidewalk, and in the case of New Orleans, into the parking lot (which made it harder for travelers to park). So be sure to dress for the weather, just in case you have to wait outside, and bring some food with you, especially if you're traveling with children.
Historically, this amount of chaos at the airports has also affected the parking facilities, so, if you can, find some way to get an airport drop off, rather than planning on leaving your car at the airport.
Consider signing up for CLEAR, a service that can get you through some airports faster
I'm actually typing this article from an airplane. I was able to get through the security lines at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in five minutes flat this morning, thanks to the fact that I have both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR. (That said: the regular line at 6:30 am this morning at LAX wasn't bad--a 15 minute wait at most.)
It's too late to enroll in TSA PreCheck for this shutdown, but you can get CLEAR enrollment online, and some credit cards include it as a perk, so check to see if yours do.
One warning about PreCheck: in Houston, over the weekend, the PreCheck stations were closed so having that type of ID may not help in the coming days.
Because CLEAR is not staffed by the TSA, it should continue to work at most airports, and could be a real time saver.
Bring only carry on luggage if you can
The fewer lines you have to be in in the coming days, the better. With just carry-on luggage you'll likely get through the airport faster.
Let's hope this situation is resolved soon. And be extra kind to the TSA agents who are showing up to work at reduced or no pay. They are true patriots, and we all owe them a debt of gratitude.