Philadelphia International Airport TSA Wait Times Extended Due to Government Shutdown Travelers departing from Philadelphia International Airport are experiencing extended security screening delays as three terminals remain closed due to temporary TSA checkpoint closures. The closures, announced by airport officials on March 18, affect Terminal A-West, Terminal F, and Terminal C, with no set timeline for their reopening. These measures are part of efforts to optimize operations across remaining checkpoints amid ongoing staffing challenges linked to the partial government shutdown. The shutdown, now in its 34th day, has disrupted the Department of Homeland Security and impacted hundreds of TSA employees nationwide. With limited staffing, TSA officials have implemented temporary closures to manage the workload. Airport authorities recommend passengers arrive two-and-a-half hours before domestic flights and three-and-a-half hours prior to international departures to account for longer wait times. Real-time updates on TSA wait times and checkpoint hours are available on the airport’s official website. Airport officials acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the closures, stating in a social media post that they are working with TSA and airline partners to maintain efficient operations. However, the situation is expected to worsen as the shutdown continues. A DHS spokesperson noted that security screening delays are likely to increase, with over 300 TSA officers having resigned since the shutdown began. Callout rates for agents are currently double the normal level, and officials warned that resignations and callouts may rise further as the shutdown extends. TSA agents have also faced financial uncertainty, with many missing their first full paycheck on March 13.#tsa #department_of_homeland_security #philadelphia_international_airport #government_shutdown #american_airlines
Philadelphia International Airport Closes More Security Checkpoints Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown Philadelphia International Airport announced additional security checkpoint closures on Wednesday as the partial government shutdown affecting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) continues. The closures impact Terminals A-West and F, joining Terminal C, which was already closed last week as a PreCheck-only checkpoint. TSA PreCheck services remain operational at Terminals A-East and D/E. Travelers reported long security lines at the airport on Thursday morning, with some lines stretching to baggage claim. The closures are linked to staffing shortages at TSA due to the partial shutdown, which has left roughly 50,000 TSA officers working without pay since February 14. Affected workers missed their first full paychecks on Friday. Internal TSA data obtained by CBS News revealed that over 350 officers have resigned during the shutdown, exacerbating staffing challenges and causing delays at airports nationwide. The airport advised travelers to use specific checkpoints based on their terminal: those departing from Terminal A-West should use A-East, Terminal C travelers should use Terminal B, and Terminal F passengers should opt for D/E. The airport emphasized that all terminals remain connected past security, allowing access to any gate from an open checkpoint. To mitigate delays, the airport recommended arriving 2.5 hours early for domestic flights and 3.5 hours early for international flights. Jana Tidwell of AAA warned travelers to plan even more time, noting that wait times could exceed four to five hours.#philadelphia #philadelphia_international_airport #transportation_security_administration #government_shutdown #tsa_precheck
TSA Agents Face Financial Struggles Amid Government Shutdowns TSA agents are enduring severe financial strain as the third government shutdown in under six months forces them to work without pay. Eviction notices, vehicle repossessions, and empty refrigerators have become common among officers who screen airport passengers and luggage. Union leaders and federal officials describe these challenges as part of a broader crisis, with the agency’s workforce increasingly struggling to meet basic needs. The ongoing funding lapse has led to long wait times at airports, as more agents take unpaid leave or resign, exacerbating staffing shortages and low morale. At least 376 TSA agents have quit since the shutdown began on Valentine’s Day, according to the Department of Homeland Security. This adds to a pattern of high attrition and poor morale that has plagued the agency for years. Cameron Cochems, a union leader in Boise, Idaho, described the situation as “exhausting,” noting that the weight of unpaid work feels heavier each day. Airport screeners have spent nearly half of the past 170 days without paychecks, with 43 days lost during the longest government shutdown in history last fall, four days earlier this year, and now 35 days and counting during the current lapse. The shutdown has disrupted the stability that drew many to federal service. Cochems, who has worked as a TSA agent for over four years, now relies on a seasonal side job screening college sports teams to supplement his income. However, with paychecks halted, even that is insufficient to cover basic expenses. His financial situation worsened when his wife was unexpectedly laid off, forcing him to seek donations from airport food drives to support his family.#homeland_security #government_shutdown #john_pistole #tsa_agents #cameron_cochems
Terminal C checkpoint temporarily closes at PHL due to partial government shutdown Philadelphia International Airport announced that the Transportation Security Administration has temporarily closed one security checkpoint at Terminal C to reallocate staffing resources. The decision comes as a result of the ongoing partial government shutdown, which has disrupted normal operations and led to staffing shortages. TSA workers will experience their first pay period without full compensation on Friday, according to the airport’s statement. The closure of the checkpoint is part of an effort to balance the workload across other security checkpoints, ensuring that travelers can still proceed through security with minimal disruption. The TSA has not provided a specific timeline for when the checkpoint will reopen, but officials emphasized that the adjustment is temporary and aimed at addressing the immediate challenges caused by the government shutdown. The partial shutdown has created significant strain on federal agencies, including the TSA, which relies on federal funding to operate its services. With many employees furloughed or working without pay, the agency has had to make urgent adjustments to maintain essential functions. The impact on airport security operations highlights the broader challenges faced by government agencies during the shutdown, which has affected services nationwide. Philadelphia International Airport officials stated that they are working closely with the TSA to monitor the situation and ensure that passenger flow remains as smooth as possible. While the closure of one checkpoint may cause delays for some travelers, the airport has not issued a formal statement about alternative routes or additional measures to mitigate the impact.#philadelphia_international_airport #transportation_security_administration #phl #government_shutdown #terminal_c
