Travelers heading to airports across the United States this week have been bracing for the worst, as the partial federal government shutdown continues to cast a long shadow over air travel. But, in a twist that few expected, some airports—like Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)—are offering a surprisingly smooth experience at security checkpoints, even as others report mounting frustrations, long waits, and a workforce stretched to the breaking point.
The shutdown, which began after Congress failed to pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security in mid-February 2026, has left more than 100,000 DHS employees—including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers—working without pay. According to USA TODAY, this marks the third time in just six months that TSA workers have gone without a paycheck. By March 13, 2026, officers missed their first full paycheck, following partial payments at the end of February. The financial strain has been severe; TSA reported on X that "some TSA officers can’t afford gas to drive to work because they aren’t getting paid." The agency added, "The financial hardship this Democrat-led chaos created has already forced more than 300 of these heroic officers to LEAVE the force. Many TSA officers cannot pay their rent, buy food, or afford to put gas in their cars."
Despite these challenges, the experience for travelers has been a mixed bag. At Charlotte Douglas International Airport on March 24, 2026, passengers moved through security with remarkable speed. Bryan Holladay told Axios Charlotte that he cleared security around 6:45 a.m. in under five minutes—so quickly, in fact, that he found himself waiting more than 30 minutes for Starbucks after passing through. Another traveler, Henry Brown, said he was expecting chaos but found it to be "the fastest he's ever made it through security at CLT." The newly completed terminal lobby at CLT, a long-awaited upgrade, has helped reduce congestion and streamline the screening process.
Travelers at CLT have also been taking advantage of digital tools to ease their journeys. The airport’s app and website provide real-time updates on security wait times, allowing passengers to plan accordingly. In addition, a new TSA PreCheck touchless ID screening option—available via the American Airlines app—has won praise for speeding up the process. Elizabeth Kiser shared, "Last week I flew to Mexico and this week to Amsterdam. Gratefully got the security in fewer than 10 (minutes) both times. Highly recommend touchless screening, which you can do on the American Airlines app."
But the story isn’t the same everywhere. In Florida, wait times at airports varied widely on March 24, 2026. According to flightqueue.com and other sources cited by USA TODAY, security waits ranged from less than one minute at St. Augustine Airport (SGJ) to as much as 62 minutes at Miami International Airport (MIA). Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) averaged 30 minutes, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) averaged 17 minutes, Orlando International Airport (MCO) averaged 9 minutes, and Tampa International Airport (TPA) clocked in at 10 minutes. TSA PreCheck lanes consistently offered shorter waits, with MIA reporting just 2 minutes and MCO about 5 minutes for PreCheck travelers.
Still, the underlying strain is evident. More than 400 TSA workers have quit since the shutdown began, as reported by USA TODAY. The staffing shortage has prompted the Trump administration to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to more than a dozen airports—including Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers—to assist with TSA operations. ICE agents were seen patrolling RSW in groups of three to five, providing extra hands to keep lines moving. However, the Department of Homeland Security declined to confirm the specific locations of these deployments, citing "operational security reasons." At CLT, airport officials said they were not aware of ICE agents being deployed locally.
The situation is so dire that Adam Stahl, TSA’s acting deputy administrator, warned on Fox News on March 17, 2026, "If this continues, it's no hyperbole to suggest that we may have to quite literally shut down airports, particularly smaller ones." Stahl added, "It's going to get worse and there will be significant pain by the passengers, 3- to 4-hour wait times at select airports. TSA is fully stretched and there's not much else we can do." Airline CEOs echoed these concerns in a letter to Congress, urging lawmakers to "immediately come together to reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security." They wrote, "Americans—who live in your districts and home states—are tired of long lines at airports, travel delays and flight cancellations caused by shutdown after shutdown. Yet, once again air travel is the political football amid another government shutdown. Too many travelers are having to wait in extraordinarily long—and painfully slow—lines at checkpoints. Wait times of 2, 3 and even 4 hours have been reported. Airlines are doing everything we can to mitigate disruption by holding flights for late passengers and rebooking others."
Despite the chaos, some local communities have rallied to support TSA workers. In Tallahassee, a landscaping company launched a "community lift" to help the 48 local TSA agents who have continued to show up for work without pay. The company called for donations of gift cards and non-perishable food for workers and their families, recognizing the vital role these employees play in keeping air travel running—even under extreme duress.
For travelers, the best advice remains to check airport apps, websites, and social media for the latest updates on wait times. The MyTSA mobile app, while not fully updated due to the shutdown, still provides estimated wait times for many U.S. airports based on TSA data and traveler reports. Third-party sites like flightqueue.com and tsawaittimes.com also aggregate real-time information, though accuracy can vary.
So, what does all this mean for the average passenger? The answer, it seems, depends on where you’re flying from, what time you arrive, and a healthy dose of luck. At airports like CLT, modernization and digital innovation have kept things running smoothly for now, even as Starbucks lines stretch on. In Florida and elsewhere, the experience can swing from breezy to excruciatingly slow, with the threat of even longer waits or outright closures looming if the shutdown drags on.
As the debate in Washington continues, those on the front lines—TSA officers, ICE agents, airport staff, and the traveling public—must navigate a system under immense pressure. Whether you’re breezing through security or stuck in a line, the reality is that America’s airports are balancing on a knife’s edge, with no easy resolution in sight.