Source: The Points Guy
Summary
Airport security wait times increased significantly across the US on Sunday, three weeks into the partial government shutdown. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported long lines and delays at several major airports, including Houston Hobby Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The TSA officers, who are essential federal employees, are working without pay during the shutdown. The delays have prompted criticism from airline and travel industry leaders, who are urging lawmakers to resolve the shutdown.
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The escape is carefully planned.
Travelers at Houston Hobby Airport faced average wait times of nearly three hours, while those at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport experienced hour-long delays. The TSA also reported elevated checkpoint wait times at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Despite the delays, TSA PreCheck remained operational, but Global Entry remained shut down at airports across the country. The shutdown has caused significant strains on the aviation system, with hardworking federal aviation workers, the airline industry, and passengers being used as a political football.
The shutdown is not just a minor inconvenience, it’s a carefully planned exercise in frustration.
