Airport security lines across the United States have surged to unprecedented lengths this week, as a partial government shutdown stretches into its second month and leaves the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and its agents unpaid. The situation, unfolding at the height of the spring break travel rush, has caused widespread delays, confusion, and mounting frustration among travelers and airport staff alike.
According to Business Insider, as of March 18, 2026, TSA checkpoints nationwide are under immense pressure. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and TSA have been unfunded for a month, forcing agents to work without pay. Not surprisingly, many have quit or simply stopped showing up. As many as 10% of TSA agents called out on Sunday, and some airports reported absence rates as high as 20%. The agency itself confirmed, "3+ hour TSA lines for travelers. 300+ TSA officers who have quit. A $0 paycheck for those continuing to serve. Enough is enough." The mounting crisis has led the TSA to publicly call on Congress to resolve the funding impasse, which stems from a dispute over immigration enforcement policies.
Airport officials are now urging passengers to arrive up to three hours ahead of their flights, a dramatic adjustment that’s upending travel plans for millions. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest by passenger numbers, has seen the brunt of the delays. On March 17, travelers there faced lines up to 40 minutes—an improvement over the 100-minute waits the day before and the two-hour snarls over the weekend. Still, Atlanta airport’s own website advised, "Arrive at least 3 hours before your flight," as congestion continued, especially at international checkpoints where domestic travelers tried to bypass longer lines in the domestic terminal.
The chaos isn’t limited to Atlanta. As reported by CNET, on March 17, TSA wait times at New York’s JFK and Newark airports exceeded 30 minutes, while LaGuardia lines topped 20 minutes. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport saw waits ranging from over 20 minutes to as little as two minutes, depending on the checkpoint. Denver International Airport, the nation’s fourth-busiest, reported lines as long as 27 minutes. Meanwhile, some airports—like Las Vegas—managed to avoid the worst of the backups, though officials caution that conditions can change rapidly. The unpredictable nature of the delays means even travelers departing from less-affected airports are being told to plan for the worst.
The staffing crisis has been compounded by severe weather in the Midwest and East Coast, further snarling airport operations. With hundreds of agents quitting and many more calling out, Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl warned on Fox News’ "FOX & Friends," "Frankly, there's not much else we can do. As the weeks continue, if this continues, it's not hyperbole to suggest that we may have to quite literally shut down airports, particularly smaller ones." Stahl’s comments echoed growing concerns that, without swift action, some airports may be forced to close their doors entirely.
It’s not just the regular security lines that are suffering. According to a report from WUSA9, TSA PreCheck lanes—typically a reliable haven for frequent travelers—are not immune. Staffing shortages have forced some airports to close PreCheck lanes altogether. Even those that remain open are seeing extended wait times, diminishing the value of the expedited screening program. The MyTSA mobile app, which provides estimated wait times in 15-minute intervals, now includes a warning: "this website is not actively managed" due to the pause in federal funding. The app may rely on historical data if live updates are unavailable, adding another layer of uncertainty for travelers.
For those attempting to navigate the chaos, several tools and strategies have emerged. Most major airports now post real-time wait times on their official websites, often broken down by terminal and checkpoint. Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Los Angeles, JFK, Orlando, Charlotte, and Miami are among the airports offering this service. However, not all airports provide such data—Chicago O’Hare and Las Vegas, for instance, require travelers to rely on the MyTSA app for estimates. The app itself, while helpful, doesn’t offer terminal-specific breakdowns and may lag behind real-world conditions.
Some airports have rolled out programs allowing travelers to reserve a specific time slot in the security line. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s “Spot Saver” system, for example, lets passengers book an appointment and skip the general queue. Similar reservation options are available at Minneapolis-St. Paul, Denver, Orlando, and Phoenix. These programs, while not universally available, offer a glimmer of hope for those able to secure a slot.
Other resources have also become essential. Free flight tracking tools like FlightAware and FlightStats help travelers monitor flight delays and cancellations, which are increasingly common as the shutdown drags on. For those flying out of Washington Dulles (IAD), Reagan National (DCA), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL), and Charlotte Douglas (CLT), airport websites offer up-to-the-minute security wait times—including for PreCheck lanes where available. Airport officials in these regions are urging passengers to check these resources before leaving home and to allow even more time than usual, especially as some PreCheck lanes may be closed without warning.
With the shutdown’s impact deepening, some airports have taken the extraordinary step of asking the public for help. According to Business Insider, Denver and Seattle airports have requested donations of food, gift cards, and basic supplies to support TSA staff working without pay. It’s an unusual appeal, highlighting the human toll of the ongoing funding crisis. The loss of income is taking its toll on morale and retention, as hundreds of agents have already quit and those remaining face mounting stress and uncertainty.
Despite these efforts, the reality for most travelers remains grim. Lines stretching for hours, uncertainty about whether PreCheck lanes will be open, and the constant threat of airport closures have combined to make air travel in March 2026 a fraught experience. The TSA continues to urge Congress to resolve the funding dispute, but until that happens, passengers and staff alike are left to cope as best they can. As one traveler at Atlanta’s airport put it, "Don’t be surprised when you get to the airport and see the security line trailing out into the parking lot."
For now, the best advice is simple: check your airport’s website and the MyTSA app before leaving home, arrive as early as possible—three hours or more is the new normal—and pack plenty of patience. With no end to the shutdown in sight, America’s airports remain on the front lines of a political stalemate that shows no signs of breaking.
As the spring break season continues, travelers and TSA staff alike are left hoping for a resolution that will restore order—and sanity—to the nation’s airports.