Travelers are facing the longest TSA wait times in history
#TSA #wait times #airports #delays #staff shortages #travel #security
📌 Key Takeaways
- TSA wait times at major airports are exceeding four hours, the longest in history.
- TSA officer call-out rates are reaching 40 to 50%, contributing to delays.
- The situation is impacting travelers significantly, causing major disruptions.
- The TSA Deputy Administrator has publicly acknowledged the severity of the issue.
📖 Full Retelling
Wait times are exceeding four hours at some major airports, leading TSA officers to call out at rates of 40 to 50%, according to TSA Deputy Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill. (Image credit: Ryan Murphy)
🏷️ Themes
Travel Disruption, Airport Security
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Original Source
National Travelers are facing the longest TSA wait times in history March 25, 2026 3:19 PM ET By Ayana Archie People wait in long TSA security lines at John F. Kennedy International Airport in the Queens borough of New York, Monday, March 23, 2026. Ryan Murphy/AP hide caption toggle caption Ryan Murphy/AP TSA is experiencing the longest wait times ever in its 24-year history because of the ongoing partial shutdown, the agency's deputy administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill told the House Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday. Wait times at some major airports have exceeded four hours, and employees at those airports are calling out of work at rates of 40% to 50%, Nguyen McNeill told members of the committee. If this partial government shutdown continues into Friday, TSA will have missed almost $1 billion in paychecks since it began, Nguyen McNeill said. "This level of disruption is unprecedented, and unacceptable, and significantly undermines the security of U.S. transportation systems," she said. Nguyen McNeill said employees are unable to pay their utility bills and their services are being shut off as a result. They're also receiving eviction notices, sleeping in their cars and selling their blood and plasma to make ends meet. More than 480 employees have quit since the shutdown began, she said. Politics DHS funding deal on shaky ground as Trump and Democrats both decline to embrace it "Paying these dedicated employees for the work they are performing should never be a point of debate," she said. Additionally, there has been a 500% increase in assaults against TSA officers since the shutdown began, Nguyen McNeill said. She said legal action will be pursued in these incidents. Nguyen McNeill thanked Trump for sending ICE agents to some major airports, "enabling TSA officers to focus on carrying out critical security screening duties during this challenging time for our agency," she said. TSA may have to close smaller airports due to understaffing, she said, and she wo...
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