March 13, 2026 — Major U.S. airports — A partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ongoing since mid-February 2026, has caused significant staffing shortages at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), leading to record-long security lines at airports including LAX, BOS, ORD and ATL.
Travelers are reporting waits of 2-4 hours at checkpoints, worsened by peak spring break travel and TSA staff absences that have doubled. Over 300 TSA officers have quit due to working without pay during the shutdown, according to CBS News and USA Today.
Airports have advised passengers to arrive 3-4 hours early to account for the massive delays, as reported by Fox News.
Industry Leaders Respond
Airlines for America (A4A) President and CEO Chris Sununu, former New Hampshire governor, highlighted the chaos on Day 24 of the shutdown, calling it “political nonsense” that is hurting millions of travelers. A4A issued a statement urging a swift resolution to the disruptions affecting air travel.
“This political nonsense is hurting millions of families trying to travel during spring break,” Sununu stated in interviews featured on Fox News video.
Broader Coverage and Impacts
Major outlets have documented the crisis: CNBC noted surging wait times as officers work without paychecks; USA Today reported some airports experiencing over 50% staff callouts; and the LA Times covered lawmakers’ frustration with nationwide lines.
On X, users and accounts have shared experiences of three-hour delays and calls for TSA “sick outs” to underscore the issue, including posts and discussions.
