At NYC Airports, Long TSA Lines and Frustrated Travelers
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
TSA staffing shortages are causing three-hour delays at NYC airports during peak travel season.
How This Affects You
If you're flying from NYC airports, you may face three-hour security delays and risk missing flights during busy travel periods.
AI Summary
TSA checkpoints at New York City airports, particularly LaGuardia, are experiencing delays exceeding three hours due to a shortage of checkpoint workers. The bottlenecks come as the agency faces staffing constraints during one of the busiest travel periods. Some travelers have expressed skepticism about a proposed solution involving ICE agents at security checkpoints, raising concerns about the appropriateness of immigration enforcement personnel handling airport screening duties. The delays are affecting thousands of passengers and underscoring the ongoing staffing challenges facing airport security operations nationwide.
What's Being Done
The TSA is considering deploying ICE agents at security checkpoints, though travelers have raised concerns about this approach.
Source Coverage Map
20 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
Government TransparencyOver a third of TSA officers called out at 3 major airports Tuesday amid partial shutdown
Travelers continue to face long lines at airports with no end to the partial government shutdown in sight. Atlanta was one of three major U.S. airports on Tuesday where more than one-third of TSA officers called out of work. In Philadelphia, flyers found three of six TSA checkpoints closed on Wednesday. Skyler Henry reports.
Government TransparencyWhere will TSA lines be the longest tomorrow? During a shutdown, nobody knows - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxQS3FIUnl0enJhYUNVNDBoVUVjWDV5MVlpTzBzR1NGeFpmdjBXX2tGbDZzcjZlcVRkaHh0NGxjZVlkcThiUkpsTm9Vd25rVDlzcE1xUmhTalViVGNaQldjUjR2TnFBUGpKSnVYemNKdUJKTzg5RzdjMThIQU5HVTVwcUJGdXlDc1RYSzhqX3BCSVRTbGZkdjlTTkpkeG93NDZ2Znc?oc=5" target="_blank">Where will TSA lines be the longest tomorrow? During a shutdown, nobody knows</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
PoliticsTexas lawmakers spar over DHS funding as long lines loom at US airports
<p>John Cornyn and Greg Casar debate TSA agent pay outside Austin airport as partial shutdown enters second month</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campaign=BN22326&utm_content=signup&utm_term=standfirst&utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p>Republican senator John Cornyn and Democratic congressman Greg Casar of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/texas">Texas</a> squabbled outside <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/austin">Austin</a>’s international airport on Monday over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as the shutdown of the agency enters its second month.</p><p>Cornyn, the longtime Texas senator who is locked in a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/03/texas-republic...
Government TransparencyUS official warns small airports could soon shut down over TSA absences - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitwFBVV95cUxNb2FCNzlvSWZ1RVZYd1Z3UVVlaHFrbXQ2VEYwRlJ1bTA0R2JpV0JqNVNzazNBVl9pYVAyU0tCWkdvdTQwRUtVMkpKaDZCeHpSNFBiQTRFbWF5OGRHU1VCYy1Jak9fVk5CcUNneE1PdDZUV1RqeXdhWVlNc1ZIX0xoOGoyWnExNkMycUtTUE1tZjZxdl82LUJXV1dHQ0J0d3lzWkhSM18yN0ktWkczVnpCVEVPOHZHTDg?oc=5" target="_blank">US official warns small airports could soon shut down over TSA absences</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
Government TransparencyHow to monitor airport security lines at US airports while TSA officers go without pay - AP News
FinanceJet fuel prices and airfares are rising. Travelers are still booking flights, US airlines say - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxNdUpPY1lqQnFiXzJMRnFnbGxtQmlkWVItUUVoYVZ3TkRuOVZ6QjRmX1Zjc09UX1BCdTlWeWZISnVucmd3YjZkTUgzN2taUmFJaEUtdFVaMEZIU1pCdHNlRUNZY3pSMGZKazIwX1RFYnMxNS1rc3VnVy1pMk1MM3ZyU2RjQXAxRDUwcFNoSw?oc=5" target="_blank">Jet fuel prices and airfares are rising. Travelers are still booking flights, US airlines say</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

News Outlets Pressure Pentagon to Restore Access After Court Ruling
A federal judge ruled on Friday that key parts of the Pentagon’s press policy were unconstitutional.
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Bank of America reaches proposed, non-binding settlement in Jeffrey Epstein suit

White House registers new ‘alien’-related .gov domains as DOD tackles Trump’s disclosure directive

Kash Patel admits under oath FBI is buying location data on Americans

Fentanyl found inside Barbies sold at Missouri discount store, police say

US moves to soften capital rules: ‘Big banks can declare mission accomplished’




