Amid the partial government shutdown, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) — part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — has warned travelers to prepare for longer-than-normal airport security wait times, but the situation has not deterred most clients from their spring travel plans.
“While a few clients have postponed trips because of the TSA challenges, for the most part we've been able to offer guidance to help them through it,” said Heather Straight, co-president and CEO of Key to the World Travel. “We're watching airport websites to monitor the average TSA wait times, making recommendations based on what we're seeing and encouraging clients to check the day before and the morning of their trips.”
Advisors are checking airport websites to monitor the TSA wait times.
Credit: 2026 Denver International Airport
Key to the World advisors are also referring to airport websites to determine whether TSA PreCheck and Clear lanes are open. These expedited screening services have remained available at most airports; however, there have been closures in hubs such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), which is considered to be “the world’s busiest airport.”
While it's disheartening to have our industry be the victim of political posturing, it does help us demonstrate why our profession is so important.
“Small and mid-size, regional airports are functioning normally for the most part, and we’re recommending that anyone flying out of those arrive two hours before flights, which is pretty typical for spring break travel,” Straight said. “The real pinch points have been Atlanta, [George Bush Intercontinental Airport] in Houston (IAH) and all New York City-area airports. So, for any large hub, we're advising people arrive at least three hours before their flight — and quite frankly, four is safest right now.”
Straight says she personally traveled through a small regional airport this week with no TSA delays; all lanes were fully open and moving quickly. However, she also passed through Atlanta and noticed considerable congestion at the TSA checkpoints there. One traveler shared a photo of an empty Chattanooga Airport (CHA) on social media, advising others to change their plans to fly from there rather than Atlanta, where current recommendations suggest allowing four hours or more for domestic and international screenings.
One traveler shared a photo of an empty Chattanooga Airport to encourage others to fly from there.
Credit: 2026 Geoff Melkonian“Probably the most relevant [thing right now] is how our clients are feeling,” said Jennifer Novotny, owner of Upon a Star Travel. “With all the reports about the lengthy waits, there has certainly been some travel anxiety.”
And while there have not been any trip cancellations due to TSA wait times, Novotny says many clients are making backup plans to drive to their destination if needed, especially those in the south. Clients who can’t drive are applying for TSA PreCheck.
“We're still seeing high demand for travel, and our clients are loath to cancel their plans, so they’re making every effort to ensure they do not miss their flights due to TSA issues,” she said.
At the heart of the problem is that many TSA officers have stopped reporting to work, since they are not being paid. With call-out rates reportedly exceeding 11% nationally (and over 40% at some airports), TSA wait times have ballooned to more than four hours at larger airports during the busy spring travel season. Unfortunately, an ongoing stalemate in Washington has amplified the problem, as the Senate has repeatedly failed to fund the DHS, even after some lawmakers proposed funding TSA separately. On March 27, the Senate finally reached a deal, which includes funds for TSA; however, the House rejected the measure, further delaying a resolution.
"The current challenges with TSA really switch travel advisors into reactionary mode,” Straight said. “We're working more late night and weekend hours as our clients need real-time help navigating delays and missed connections. We definitely have a heavier workload in an already busy season, but it's worth the time and effort because it really underscores the value of working with a travel advisor and having someone to advocate for you rather than going it alone. While it's disheartening to have our industry be the victim of political posturing, it does help us demonstrate why our profession is so important."
