If you've been seeing TSA horror stories posts in the Daily Drop Lounge, you're not imagining things. Lines are bad. Like, four-hours-before-your-flight bad.
Take it from this lounge member:
Here's what's going on and what you can actually do about it. 💪
🚨 Why Lines Are So Bad Right Now
The partial government shutdown just passed the one-month mark. TSA officers are required to keep working without pay, and a lot of them are calling out to find jobs that will actually pay their bills. About 10% of the workforce is out on any given day.
Layer spring break travel demand on top of that, and you've got a recipe for chaos.
Atlanta (ATL) warned travelers Monday to arrive four hours before departure. Houston (IAH) shut down the entire concourse checkpoints. JFK's own wait-time tracker temporarily broke under the pressure.
This isn't getting better until Congress funds the TSA. So for now, we plan around it.
📱How to Actually Check Wait Times
The TSA's own app has been unreliable during the shutdown. Don't count on it. Here's what actually works.
Airports with live wait-time trackers
Your airport's website is the most accurate source by far. Google "[airport name] TSA wait times" and go straight to the official airport site. CNN also has a handy live tracker of many of these airports in one place here. Skip third-party aggregator sites though – they're inaccurate at best.
Be prepared to find wait trackers disabled, though. Airports are increasingly shutting them off as they can’t keep up.
Airports with no wait-time tracker
A few major airports don't publish wait times at all. If you're flying through one of these, follow the airport on social media for real-time day-of updates.
* ORD Chicago O'Hare | * MDW Chicago Midway | * SAN San Diego |
* SFO San Francisco | * IAD Washington Dulles |
* Live tracker available ~ Limited coverage
Flying through one of these? Follow your airport on social media for real-time updates the morning of your flight.
📅 When to Fly If You Have Flexibility
Not all days and times are created equal right now.
Avoid if possible | Lighter traffic |
|---|---|
Sunday (busiest) | Tuesday |
Monday | Wednesday |
Thursday | Saturday |
Friday | Midday flights (any day) |
Spring break weekends are especially heavy throughout April. |
⚡The Fastest Ways Through Security
Program | Cost | Cards that cover it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
TSA PreCheck® | $78 / 5 years | Everyone — do this first | |
PreCheck Touchless ID | Free with PreCheck | Opt-in via your airline app | Fastest lane at enabled airports |
CLEAR+ | $209/yr | Skip to the front of security |
Our Favorite Cards with TSA PreCheck
Having PreCheck can definitely help you out in times like these. Just take it from this DD Lounge member:
One important caveat: Some PreCheck and CLEAR+ lanes have been suspended at specific checkpoints due to staffing shortages. Check your airport's social media the morning of your flight before you count on having access.
🧳 One More Thing Worth Trying
Skip the checked bag if you can. Bag drop lines are running long right now too, and once you check a bag you still have to get through security anyway. Going carry-on only cuts an entire line out of your morning.
😬 What If You're About to Miss Your Flight?
Pull up your airline's app and look for a later flight before you even get to the front of the security line. A few things to know:
• Airlines are not federally required to refund or rebook you for a missed flight caused by a security delay. This is different from a flight cancellation.
• That said, some carriers are working with passengers. Delta is making "calculated decisions" about delaying certain flights and will "make efforts to rebook customers where feasible" if TSA lines caused the missed flight. No guarantees, but it's worth asking at the gate. Allegiant just introduced a new limited-time policy that allows travelers affected by the shutdown to rebook without penalty.
Bottom Line
The shutdown isn't resolved, spring break is in full swing, and TSA lines will remain chaotic until Congress acts. Check your airport's site and social before you leave, give yourself way more time than feels necessary, and if you've been on the fence about PreCheck or Global Entry, now is a very good time to stop waiting.
Getting to the airport earlier is always better. Missing a flight due to a security line is expensive and stressful, and no one is required to make it right for you. (Another reason to hold a card that gives you lounge access, though expect those to be more crowded than normal too.)
And no matter what, be kind to the TSA agents and other airport staff who are there. Tensions are high, we know, but everyone is doing their best in a crappy situation. Once you board your flight, you'll be on your way somewhere else, while they’re stuck in the chaos. And that’s nowhere anyone wants to be. So thank them for being there, and once you get through security, start dreaming about the destination that awaits you.
