Travelers across the United States are facing significantly longer airport security waits during spring break, as Transportation Security Administration officers continue to work without pay amid an ongoing partial government shutdown. Wait times at major hubs in Houston and Atlanta reached two hours on Friday, while New Orleans's Louis Armstrong International Airport advised passengers to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled departures.
The staffing shortages stem from the Department of Homeland Security shutdown that began on February 14. About 50,000 TSA officers are considered essential workers and have been working without pay, missing their first full paychecks last week. The Department of Homeland Security reports more than 300 TSA officers have resigned. In Houston, more than half of TSA staff called out sick last week, while nearly a third called out in Atlanta and New Orleans.
The crisis comes as roughly 2.8 million people are projected to travel on U.S. airlines each day through March and April, totaling a record 171 million passengers for the spring travel season, according to the industry group Airlines for America.
What the Right Is Saying
President Trump has taken a hard line stance, threatening to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to staff airport security lanes if Democrats do not immediately agree to fund DHS. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he would move "brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents" to airports where they would do security like no one has ever seen before, including the immediate arrest of all illegal immigrants who have come into the country.
Trump followed up with a post saying he told ICE to "GET READY" to deploy to airports on Monday. The administration has emphasized that the situation could be resolved quickly if Democrats would agree to fund the department while continuing negotiations on immigration enforcement reforms.
What the Left Is Saying
Congressional Democrats have declined to fund DHS as part of their effort to force reforms to federal immigration enforcement practices. Democrats have argued that the partial government shutdown is a necessary tool to push for changes they say are needed to protect immigrant communities and uphold humanitarian standards.
The White House has framed the situation as Democrats holding government funding hostage to advance a political agenda on immigration. Administration officials have said they are willing to negotiate on broader immigration policy but argue that DHS must be funded to maintain basic government functions and public safety.
What the Numbers Show
The DHS shutdown has created significant staffing challenges for TSA. More than 300 TSA officers have quit since the shutdown began, according to DHS. In Houston, more than 50% of TSA staff called out sick last week. Nearly 30% called out in both Atlanta and New Orleans.
Wait times have reached two hours at major hubs like Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson. New Orleans officials are recommending passengers arrive three hours early. In Philadelphia, airport officials closed three security checkpoints entirely due to short staffing.
Travel demand remains at record levels. Airlines for America projects 2.8 million daily passengers during March and April, totaling 171 million passengers for the spring season. United Airlines announced Friday it would cut some flights over the next six months after jet fuel prices doubled, potentially driving airfares higher.
The Bottom Line
Transportation officials warn the situation could worsen significantly. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said if a deal isn't reached, "you're going to see what's happening today look like child's play." He added that some smaller airports may be forced to temporarily close if more staff calls out.
Travel experts recommend passengers check airport websites for estimated wait times, arrive much earlier than usual, consider enrolling in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and have a backup plan if flights are canceled. The situation remains fluid as negotiations continue in Congress over funding DHS and addressing broader immigration enforcement concerns.
The U.K. Foreign Office has also warned travelers of potential "travel disruption" at U.S. airports and recommended checking with travel providers for guidance. With spring break underway and no immediate resolution to the DHS shutdown in sight, travelers should prepare for continued delays and uncertainty at security checkpoints nationwide.