TSA lines stretch for hours as Department of Homeland Security shuts down
The Department of Homeland Security shutdown has caused chaos, with TSA lines stretching for hours.
It’s been nearly a month since the government was partially shut down, leaving Transportation Security Administration workers without pay, and lines at airport security checkpoints are getting longer.
At major airports across the country, from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport to Houston’s Hobby Airport, lines to get through TSA stretched for more than an hour, and over three hours on weekends.
Airport officials are encouraging travelers to arrive three or even four hours before their flight, and to check the airport’s TSA wait time tracker before heading to the airport.
But what happens if you miss your flight while waiting in line at TSA?
TSA delays do not guarantee a refund
If you get stuck in a TSA line and miss your flight, don’t expect a refund from the airline.
If a flight is canceled, changed, or significantly delayed by the airline, the airline must refund the ticket. According to the Department of Transportation, airlines are not required to refund tickets if a flight is canceled or delayed due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather.
In some cases, the airline may offer an alternative flight or flight credit, but must inform you whether a refund is possible.
Because TSA lines are considered part of the airport and are not the airline’s responsibility, line delays are not eligible for a refund.
How to check TSA wait times before your flight
The MyTSA app is usually a good place to check wait times, but this app will not be updated during a government shutdown.
Instead, we recommend checking the social media and various websites of the airport you’re traveling to.
Passengers passing through Atlanta Airport can check wait times at five TSA checkpoints on the website. For example, just after 8 a.m. on Friday, the North and Main checkpoints were experiencing wait times of more than 30 minutes, but by 9:45 a.m. wait times had dropped to just 10 and 15 minutes.
Is TSA PreCheck currently available?
TSA PreCheck is still available as of March 13th. However, that could change as the government shutdown drags on.
TSA employees are not being paid, and if this shutdown follows past trends, employees will quit their jobs if they continue to go unpaid. This means lines will be understaffed and many lines will be closed. TSA PreCheck may be closed in some locations if the airport chooses to prioritize the general TSA line.
Eileen Wright is an Atlanta Connect reporter for USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. X Find her at @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.
