Airport Security Delays: TSA Shutdown Impact

0:00It's March 24th. Welcome to El Paso News today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. Travelers nationwide are facing massive delays at airport security checkpoints due to the partial government shutdown. Transportation Security Administration screeners are calling out sick at five times the normal rate, and hundreds have quit their jobs. The agency's MyTSA app and waytime tracker are offline, with no updates since February 17th. This shutdown differs from the one last fall, when wait times kept updating normally. The lapse in funding stems from Congress stalling on a deal over immigration reforms pushed by Democrats, leaving thousands of TSA workers without. Paychecks. Flyers are frustrated with lines stretching over an hour, and major hubs like Atlanta and New York. Reduce staffing has hit everyone, and some airports are even closing expedited lanes. To stay ahead, check airport websites like those for Reagan National or Houston's Bush Intercontinental for posted estimates.

1:01Independent sites such as airport insight or TSA waytimes provide real-time data where available. For flights, use your airline site or flight aware for delays and cancellations. Meanwhile, if you're eyeing TSA precheck, expect at least a week for approval after applying on mine and visiting in person, though some lanes remain, shuttered due to shortages. Plan extra time to beat the backups.