TSA Airport Delays: What It’s Like Waiting in Line for Hours

New York Times
by Alan Blinder, Shannon Sims and Mark Bonamo
March 24, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

TSA facing significant passenger backlogs at multiple airports with travelers waiting hours at security checkpoints.

How This Affects You

If you travel by air, expect extended wait times at security screening at major airport hubs, potentially forcing you to wait hours before clearing checkpoints.

AI Summary

The Transportation Security Administration is facing significant passenger backlogs at multiple airports, with travelers reporting extended wait times at security checkpoints. The delays have created congestion at at least two major hubs, forcing some passengers to spend hours in queue before clearing screening. A third airport yielded an undisclosed discovery during the period of heightened traffic. TSA checkpoint wait times typically spike during peak travel periods and holiday seasons, though the specific cause of these delays remains unclear from available reporting. The situation underscores ongoing capacity challenges at major U.S. airports as travel demand continues to strain security screening operations.

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