It’s a nightmare for any flyer: you arrive at the airport and find a TSA checkpoint line that snakes down a hallway — even onto the sidewalk. What if you don’t make it to your gate in time?
The ongoing partial government shutdown has produced some of the longest security lines ever, with waits of more than four hours in some cases, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Airlines say they’re trying to work with passengers, but they’re not required to accommodate you. Some carriers have rolled out more lenient rebooking policies recently, but lines remain while lawmakers sort out how to pay TSA workers.
Here are practical steps to take if TSA delays threaten your flight.
Know what you’re getting into
– Check your airport’s TSA wait time before you leave. Some airports publish times on their websites; otherwise check social media. The MyTSA app normally lists wait times but is suspended during the shutdown.
– Waits vary by airport and time of day. For example, midday TSA waits at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental were 90 minutes to 2.5 hours; Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson advised allowing at least four hours; Los Angeles International reported about five minutes; Dulles reported normal waits.
You’re at the airport and the line is huge
– Ask airport employees if there’s another checkpoint or shorter line you can reach. Walking a bit to an alternate screening point can be worth it.
You’re in line and panicking
– Look for alternate flights using your airline’s app. It’s often easier to change a ticket if you didn’t buy basic economy, which is usually nonchangeable.
– If you find a replacement flight, book it before your original departs to avoid being marked a no-show and having your itinerary canceled.
– Stay calm and polite with staff; airlines and airports generally want to help. At some major airports, airlines have held flights briefly to accommodate passengers delayed by TSA.
You’re definitely missing your flight — now what?
– Contact the airline immediately: use the app, call, or visit a service desk. Calling often helps, but try every channel available.
– Use any airline affiliation you have: a frequent flyer account or lounge membership can speed service. Airline lounge desks sometimes have shorter lines for customer service.
– If an airline delays or cancels a flight after security, check the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Cancellation and Delay Dashboard for options and differences in compensation policies.
What airlines are doing
– Several carriers say they’re working with passengers who miss flights due to security delays, though space is limited during busy travel periods.
– Delta issued a waiver specific to Atlanta allowing customers to adjust flights while in line without speaking to an agent. United has a similar policy in Houston. Both have said they will waive fees and fare differences if the new ticket is the same cabin level.
– Southwest and Allegiant also report helping customers rebook without extra charges; Allegiant says its policy will remain until the shutdown ends.
Weigh your options
– If rebooking is impossible or too costly, consider driving, renting a car, or taking a train if feasible.
– If you can rebook, try to avoid peak travel times. In some airports this week, afternoon TSA waits have been shorter than mornings. Consider traveling on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday rather than Friday, Sunday, or Thursday.
– If your plans are severely disrupted, ask the airline for a refund or travel voucher. Check travel insurance and credit-card protections — but note that many standard travel insurance policies do not cover missed flights due to long TSA lines, since those delays may be known or ongoing when the policy was purchased.
– Most travel insurance only covers situations unknown and unforeseen at purchase; missing a flight due to TSA lines typically isn’t covered.
NPR’s Tovia Smith contributed reporting to this story.