DHS Funding Lapse Spurs 3–3.5‑Hour TSA Lines as TSA Website Shuts Down and Airports Tell Travelers to Arrive 3–4 Hours Early
7d
Developing
7
After a partial DHS funding lapse beginning Feb. 14, TSA staffing shortages have produced uneven but severe security waits at some airports — many reporting roughly 3–3.5‑hour lines (Houston Hobby peaking longer, with some advisories reaching 4–5 hours and New Orleans warning up to two hours) — prompting carriers and airports to tell travelers to arrive about 3–4 hours early. The TSA’s public website and app stopped updating on Feb. 17 as staff were furloughed, while agents are working without pay after only partial paychecks, and DHS officials and industry leaders have traded blame and urged Congress to restore funding.
Federal Budget and Shutdowns
Air Travel and Transportation Security
DHS Shutdown and TSA Operations