Shutdown 2026: Myths and facts about airport security

The partial government shutdown impacting the Department of Homeland Security is now more than six weeks long. The Transportation Security Administration has been significantly affected, as officers working at airport security checkpoints are responsible for working without pay. Although law requires that they be paid once the DHS budget or a continuing resolution to fund the agency is passed, this does nothing to cover their day-to-day expenses and costs of living in the meantime.

As a result, many TSA employees have been forced to seek employment elsewhere just to make ends meet, leaving some airport security checkpoints short-staffed. This means fewer security lanes can operate, resulting in longer delays at some airports. 

What is being widely reported are the maximum waiting times, a worst-case scenario experienced by travelers. What is not being reported is how often such maximum waits are occurring, what time of day and whether they impact one, two or all of the terminals at large airport checkpoints. The distinction between wait times at standard lanes versus PreCheck lanes has also been largely overlooked. 

Houston George Bush Intercontinental, a hub for United Airlines, was significantly affected, with maximum waiting times reported at one point as four hours. This prompted travelers at other airports to expect similarly long waits, which has not been the case. 

Safety is also on the minds of some travelers, but this is not an issue, given how the TSA operates security checkpoints. 

Officers are trained to follow well-defined........

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