Spring break travelers face long TSA lines and flight delays as the U.S. government shutdown strains airport operations Passengers heading to airports during the ongoing partial government shutdown are experiencing significant delays, with long security lines and flight cancellations reported across the country. Travel expert Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at AirHelp, warned that security lines at some airports are exceeding three hours, urging travelers to plan ahead and adjust their schedules to avoid missing flights. The disruptions stem from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, which has led to a shortage of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers. Over 300 TSA agents have left the agency since the shutdown began, and unscheduled absences have risen to about 6% nationwide. Napoli emphasized that the lack of paid staffing has created operational strain, contributing to delays at airports nationwide. Footage from Austin, Texas, showed security lines stretching outside airport terminals early Friday, with passengers waiting hours to board flights. Napoli told FOX Business that many travelers who underestimated the impact of the shutdown are missing their flights, highlighting the need for proactive planning. Global Entry processing, which had been paused earlier during the shutdown, resumed last Wednesday. Napoli noted this could help alleviate congestion by diverting some travelers away from standard security lines. He recommended booking early-morning flights, which are less likely to be affected by cascading delays throughout the day. Passengers are also advised to pack essential items in carry-on bags to account for potential baggage delays or overnight disruptions.#texas #department_of_homeland_security #transportation_security_administration #eric_napoli #airhelp
