The Transportation Security Administration is facing an existential crisis.
In Houston, wait times at the screening area hit three hours this week. Atlanta and Philadelphia had to close entire checkpoints because they didn’t have enough staff. Now there’s talk of entire airports shutting down because of insufficient TSA screeners.
This is a direct result of the Department of Homeland Security funding lapse that began on February 14. Roughly 50,000 TSA employees are being required to work without pay, and the financial strain is too much for some of them. More than 350 screeners have already quit, and those who remain are often stretched across fewer open lanes, leading to lines that extend into parking garages and baggage claim areas.
How this is affecting passengers
The TSA’s troubles couldn’t have come at a worse time. The agency reports it has seen record-breaking numbers of passengers for spring break. The TSA is also on high alert during the Iran war. (The TSA offers an app that shows wait times, but warns that it is not “actively maintaining” the site because of staffing shortages.) So we may not even have the full picture.
Here’s what’s happening now:
The no-show surge. In some major hubs, as many as 55 percent of TSA screeners are calling in sick because without a paycheck they can’t afford the gas or child care needed to work.
Checkpoint closures. Philadelphia has been forced to shut down multiple checkpoints, including its PreCheck-only lanes, while Atlanta is reportedly struggling to keep its main gates open during the morning rush.
A five-hour wait. Airport officials in Houston and New Orleans are now advising travelers to arrive up to five hours before their scheduled departure just to ensure they make their flight. (Our advice is to show up three hours ahead for domestic, four for international during the screening crisis.)
Privatize TSA. San Francisco has for years and it works great. Until then, every politician needs to join the line. NO cuts, as seen happening for some members of Congress.
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This is about more than funding
Less experienced observers have suggested that this is a simple funding problem. It isn’t. Even before the shutdown, the TSA was using outdated equipment and suffered from perennial staffing shortages and low morale. The only security lines that seem to be moving are the ones run by private security through its Screening Partnership Program (here’s a full list of airports in the program).
Whether you think this is just a political problem or a systemic one, here’s something we can probably all agree on: The TSA is having a moment.
A 9/11-magnitude crisis?
If you were around when 9/11 happened, you remember the TSA’s origin story. Almost everyone agreed that a force of federalized screeners with uniform standards was a good idea to safeguard us against a new terrorist attack. Since then, critics have been embroiled in a debate over how effective the agency has been at foiling a new attack.
Is this another pivotal event of that magnitude?
A few follow-up questions:
- If you answered yes, what was the breaking point for you? Was it a specific long wait, a missed flight, or the news of the staffing shortages?
- If you said no, do you think the agency is doing the best it can with the resources it has? What would it take for you to change your mind?
Regardless of how you voted, we are left with this one question: Is the TSA a necessary evil or a broken system that needs to be replaced?
My take: The TSA has one job, and it’s failing. But don’t blame the agency. This time, Congress is to blame for the long lines.
Your turn
Have you reached a breaking point with the TSA? What do you think we should do to fix it? Our comments are open.
What you’re saying
Readers blamed Congress for the mess, called for TSA privatization citing San Francisco’s success, and questioned whether five-hour arrival times are realistic for elderly and families.
Congress turned security into a political pawn
Blues Traveler said Congress bears primary responsibility by failing to secure consistent funding. AJPeabody called TSA employees pawns in the politicized conflict over ICE tactics. Gerri Hether noted the TSA is being held hostage by Congress. garyh911 blamed Democrats and suggested firing sick-calling workers.
Privatize like San Francisco
speakeasy pushed for TSA privatization, noting San Francisco works great. Miles Will Save Us All said five-hour waits prove the Screening Partnership Program deserves closer look since private firms maintain staffing during budget crises. Tim argued airport security shouldn’t be federal. Mary Moore suggested moving TSA under Transportation or FAA instead of DHS.
Five hours is absurd
Right-This-Way questioned how elderly, families with small children, and handicapped travelers can show up five hours early, imagining mobs at 1 a.m. for 6 a.m. flights. LFH0 noted airlines restrict early arrivals (American allows only four hours at some airports, Frontier three hours) while requiring passengers arrive 15 minutes before departure, setting up conflicting contract terms. 737MAXPilot called it a temporary staffing crisis, not permanent failure.