Amid the ongoing partial government shutdown, which has caused significant TSA staffing shortages, checking airport security wait times has become a critical part of travel. But with limited resources, many passengers are left searching for an accurate estimate in order to plan ahead properly.
Airports nationwide are packed as millions of travelers are on the move during the peak spring break season, even as funding for the Transportation and Security Administration remains stalled.
Some 60,000 TSA agents are currently working without pay, and the Department of Homeland Security, TSA's parent agency, has reported the highest single-day spike in TSA worker callouts, which reached 55% at Houston Hobby International Airport on March 14, 2026.
Since the shutdown began last month, more than 300 TSA officers have left the agency, according to TSA statistics obtained by ABC News.
Those staffing issues have caused airport security wait times fluctuate, reaching as high as several hours in some places.
Amid the chaos, travelers should make sure to check security wait times before heading to the airport, in order to ensure they have plenty of time to get screened and to their gate before takeoff.
Here's how to do just that.
The official My TSA app has historically provided travelers security line wait-time updates as it became available. The app, however, currently displays a warning that states, "Due to the lapse in federal funding, this website will not be actively managed."
As such, the page -- which scours historical data and user-reported wait times -- does not currently reflect the on-ground experience, given the rapid changes caused by staffing fluctuations.
Experts like Katy Nastro of the airfare monitoring site Going.com told ABC News that travelers should instead "check airport websites directly."
Individual airport websites often provide terminal-specific wait times that could be updated more often than the federal app.
Major hubs like Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, and each of the New York metropolitan area's major airports -- including LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport -- all offer real-time updates online, for example.
Nastro added that travelers should "also check airport social media accounts for live updates, as well as to see if your airport is trending."
"It may not be for a good reason," she said.
Travel expert Zach Griff weighed in on the airport security line issues in his From the Tray Table newsletter and told ABC News that he strongly encourages people "to arrive at least 15 to 20 minutes earlier than their typical schedule."
TSA PreCheck and CLEAR services remain operational and can also provide travelers a significantly shorter wait time than standard lines. Griff advised travelers to consider enrolling in TSA PreCheck "and especially the Touchless ID solution," which allows TSA PreCheck verified travelers to simply show up in the security screening line and take a quick picture of their face, no ID needed.
To utilize TouchlessID, Griff said ticketed passengers must opt into the program with each individual airline and upload passport information tied to their TSA PreCheck membership.
He noted that the process "doesn't work for families" and reminded parents to still arrive early in those situations.
Nastro also recommended travelers sign up for Touchless ID, where available. "Most major carriers offer this now, and it can be a game-changer," she said.
Nastro noted that as with any airport security, travelers still need to take a physical ID with them, even if they have TSA PreCheck and are enrolled in Touchless ID. The TSA website states that this is critical, in the event a traveler's identity "cannot be verified by the biometric technology at the security checkpoint."
Additionally, Nastro said, expedited lanes have been reported closed at certain airports from time to time.
Another option for some travelers, depending on the departure airport, is to use the Spot Saver or Reserve program to pre-book a time slot to enter the security line.
This is currently free to passengers flying out of JFK Terminal 4, Seattle-Tacoma, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Phoenix, and Orlando.
Availability is limited, and passengers can sign up for an appointment slot up to six days in advance of their departure.
