Spring break is around the corner for US students, but plans are facing delays and cancellations. Why? The state of airports.
In the latest partial government shutdown, TSA agents are working unpaid while airports face understaffing, partial or complete airport closures, and hours-long delays to expected travel times.
Airports are seeing amusement park-level queue lines as travelers wait for clearance to board their flights.
Employees of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are currently working with no pay. Many have quit or stopped appearing for their scheduled shifts altogether, adding more chaos to standard airport procedure.
The shutdown began in mid-February after funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees TSA failed to pass Congress.
Social media users are expressing their frustration about the current state of air travel in the country.
Can You Beat the Line?
Many people online account for drastically different waiting times provided by prompters at airports and what the TSA website reports. But is it possible to beat the insane lines? Many say yes!
The TSA confirmed with USA Today that effective ways to beat the worst of the wait are through their wait-time tracker and their MyTSA mobile app. The app shows which TSA checkpoints are open and how long the wait is for each available checkpoint. It’s also helpful to check reports of TSA line openings and wait times on official websites or social media accounts of specific airports you will be traveling from.
A classic and effective way to beat the usual wait times for TSA checkpoints is TSA PreCheck. TSA PreCheck provides extra security clearance for any traveler. Enrollment is $85 or less and lasts for five years. This gives travelers access to expedited TSA checkpoint lines. It’s also a better bet to be at the airport much earlier than expected to account for the added waiting times.
Typically, airlines suggest arriving at least two hours before boarding domestic flights and three hours before boarding international flights. In these circumstances, many seasoned travelers suggest getting to the airport hours earlier to account for waiting time.
What's Your Reaction?
