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Unpredictable TSA wait times and how to handle them

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TSA wait times are running well above normal at several major U.S. hubs, primarily due to staffing shortages, increased passenger volumes, and the ongoing government shutdown, which have all disrupted normal TSA operations.

Some travelers at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) are reporting waits of up to four hours. Airport officials at Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport (ATL) are now advising travelers to arrive at least four hours before domestic flights, a significant change from the standard two-hour recommendation. 

Since the impact is not uniform across airports, travelers must stay alert to local developments. For example, the most affected airports recently include Atlanta (ATL), Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH), and Chicago O’Hare (ORD), where wait times have been reported at three hours or longer. In contrast, airports like Portland International (PDX) are currently seeing fewer disruptions and shorter waits. Here’s what travelers can do to get through faster. 

TSA PreCheck and CLEAR: Still useful, but check first 

Under normal conditions, TSA PreCheck and CLEAR offer quicker screening at airports. According to the Houston Chronicle, TSA PreCheck screening at Bush Intercontinental in Houston was unavailable, and Louis Armstrong New Orleans also had PreCheck unavailable on March 22nd.  

What to do before your next flight 

Airport officials at several hubs have issued the same recommendation: arrive earlier than you normally would. Three specific steps hold up across the current conditions. 

  • Arrive at least three hours before domestic departures: Several airports have issued this guidance explicitly, including officials at ATL, BWI, MSY, and both Houston airports. The standard two-hour buffer is not sufficient at the most affected airports right now. If you are flying internationally, check your airport’s website or contact your airline to see if you should plan for an even earlier arrival, as wait times and processing for international flights may take even longer now. 
  • Check live wait times before leaving home: The TSA MyTSA app publishes real-time wait data. Way.com also tracks conditions across 100+ U.S. airports in one place.  
  • Verify PreCheck and CLEAR availability at your specific terminal before you go: At airports where expedited lanes are open, they remain faster. At airports where they have closed, check the airport’s official website to adjust your arrival time accordingly. 

What you must keep in mind is that wait times are changing hour by hour at some airports. Conditions that applied yesterday morning may not apply tomorrow afternoon. The most reliable approach right now is to check current data as close to your departure as possible, build in more time than you think you need, and verify the status of any expedited screening program you are counting on. 

Sources 

 CBS News — “TSA wait times stretch up to 6 hours as ICE and other Homeland Security agents deployed to 14 airports,” March 24, 2026 

NPR — “TSA wait times are unpredictable amid government shutdown,” March 22, 2026 

NewsNation — “Airport wait times: Do TSA PreCheck and CLEAR still save time?,” March 24, 2026 

TIME — “Why Are Airport Wait Times So Long?” March 24, 2026 

CNN — Live TSA wait time tracker, updated March 24, 2026 

Check live TSA wait times before your next trip. 

Way.com tracks TSA wait times at 100+ U.S. airports. Select your airport below for current conditions.

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