Arriving at the airport to find a TSA line that stretches down a hallway or onto the sidewalk is every traveler’s worst-case scenario. With unusually long waits at some airports during staffing disruptions, here are practical steps to take if TSA delays put your flight at risk, and how to handle rebooking or alternatives.
Before you leave for the airport
– Check current TSA wait times for your airport. Some airports post live waits on their websites or social media. Note: the MyTSA app may be suspended or out of date during staffing or shutdown issues.
– Allow extra time. Waits vary by airport and hour: examples recently included 90 minutes–2.5 hours midday at Houston (IAH), at least four hours recommended at Atlanta (ATL), only minutes at Los Angeles (LAX), and normal waits at some hubs like Dulles. Research the usual peaks for your airport and plan accordingly.
If you arrive and the line is huge
– Ask airport or airline staff if there’s an alternate checkpoint or a shorter line you can reach. Walking to another screening point can save a lot of time.
– Look for signs or staff who can point to separate/business lines, family lanes, or quieter checkpoints.
While you’re in line
– Use your airline’s app to search alternate flights. If your fare class allows changes, it’s often easiest to rebook there.
– If you find a replacement flight, book it before your original departs to avoid being labeled a no-show and having your remaining itinerary canceled.
– Stay calm and courteous with TSA and airline staff — polite behavior often gets better, quicker help. In some airports, airlines have briefly held doors to accommodate passengers delayed by security.
If you’re definitely going to miss your flight
– Contact the airline right away via app, phone, or the airport ticket counter. Try every channel available because wait times differ by method.
– Use any status, loyalty, or lounge access you have. Frequent flyer status or lounge desks often get faster service and shorter lines.
– If an airline cancels or delays a flight after security, consult the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Cancellation and Delay Dashboard for guidance on passenger rights and compensation differences.
What airlines are doing now
– Some carriers are offering waivers or flexibility for travelers delayed by security lines, but accommodations depend on space and demand.
– Examples: Delta issued a waiver in Atlanta allowing adjustments while customers are still in line; United offered a similar accommodation in Houston. Both have said they will waive change fees and, in some cases, fare differences when rebooking into the same cabin.
– Southwest and Allegiant report they’ll help rebook without extra charges; Allegiant has said its policy will stay in effect while staffing issues persist.
Weighing alternatives
– If rebooking isn’t possible or is prohibitively expensive, consider other transport: driving, renting a car, or taking a train if timing and distance make that feasible.
– If you can rebook, try to avoid peak travel windows. At some airports, afternoon waits have been shorter than mornings. Midweek travel (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday) can be less congested than Friday, Sunday or holiday-adjacent days.
Refunds, vouchers, and insurance
– If your plans are significantly disrupted, ask the airline about refunds, reroutes, or travel vouchers.
– Review travel insurance and credit-card protections, but be aware many standard policies do not cover missed flights caused by known or ongoing issues (like prolonged TSA waits reported before purchase). Most policies cover unforeseen events that happen after you buy the policy, not predictable or publicized delays.
Final tips
– If you travel frequently through busy airports, consider expedited programs (TSA PreCheck, CLEAR) to reduce the risk of being held up in long public lines.
– When possible, arrive earlier than usual during periods of known staffing disruptions.
– Keep electronic copies of receipts, screenshots of wait times, and records of communications with the airline — they can help if you dispute fees or request compensation later.
Being prepared, using airline apps and status benefits, and staying calm are the best ways to limit the damage when TSA lines threaten a flight. If you do miss a flight, contact the airline immediately, explore alternate routing before the original departs, and consider other modes of transport if rebooking options are limited.