Philadelphia International Airport to Temporarily Close Two More Security Checkpoints The ongoing partial government shutdown has led to additional temporary closures of security checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport. Starting Wednesday, March 18, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will shut down checkpoints at Terminals A-West and F. This follows the earlier closure of Terminal C, which was closed last week. TSA Pre-Check services will remain operational at Terminals A-East, D, and E. The TSA announced the closures as part of efforts to optimize operations across other checkpoints. Employees are being temporarily reassigned to other terminals to help reduce wait times and address staffing shortages caused by the government shutdown. The TSA’s decision was confirmed via a Twitter post from the airport’s official account, which also provided details about TSA operating hours. The agency emphasized that these measures are temporary and aimed at maintaining efficiency during the current staffing challenges. Travelers are advised to arrive at the airport early to account for potential delays. The airport recommends arriving 2.5 hours before domestic flights and 3.5 hours before international flights. Despite the closures, the airport has stated that operations are continuing without major disruptions. The partial government shutdown has affected TSA workers, with many facing unpaid leave. However, the airport has noted that security operations have remained largely unaffected, with employees continuing to work without pay. For further information, travelers are directed to the airport’s official website at PHL.org.#philadelphia_international_airport #transportation_security_administration #terminal_a_west #terminal_f #tsa_pre_check
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
Philadelphia airport travelers adjust to checkpoint closures amid TSA staffing shortages Travelers arriving at Philadelphia International Airport on Wednesday faced closed security checkpoints as the ongoing federal government shutdown strained TSA staffing levels. While the closures disrupted normal operations, security lines remained shorter than at many other airports nationwide. Passengers reported arriving early to avoid delays, though wait times were generally manageable. One traveler noted, “I’ve been following it for a couple days. I saw they were closing a few more terminals last night, so we got here early.” Despite having TSA PreCheck, some opted to avoid potential delays. Airport officials had already closed Terminal C’s checkpoint the previous week, and additional closures occurred on Wednesday morning at Terminals F and A-West. Only three checkpoints remained operational: Terminals D/E, A-East, and B. Lines fluctuated throughout the day as passengers adapted to the changes. For some, the experience in Philadelphia was less stressful than at other airports. Laurie Segreto of Sarasota, Florida, remarked, “It’s not as bad as what I’ve seen on the news in other airports.” Passengers connecting through Philadelphia from Chicago described the crowds as significantly smaller than those at O’Hare Airport. “58,000 more people than this,” said Brittiney Cousin of Chicago. Elijah Watkins, also from Chicago, added, “The line was ridiculous. The line was way out—people were coming in every second on the second.” TSA officials attributed the checkpoint closures to rising employee callouts during the shutdown. To support federal workers still on duty, American Airlines staff provided free lunches to TSA employees on Wednesday. TSA employee Jeff Craig expressed gratitude, stating, “It means everything.#dhs #tsa #philadelphia #philadelphia_international_airport #american_airlines
TSA Wait Times at Philadelphia International Airport: What Weekend Travelers Should Know Philadelphia International Airport is among the busiest in the nation, designated as a Core 30 airport by the Federal Aviation Administration. Combined with the high volume of travelers on Fridays, which are among the busiest days for air travel, understanding TSA wait times is critical for weekend flyers. As of Friday morning, March 20, the average TSA security wait time at PHL is approximately 30 minutes. Travelers with TSA PreCheck, particularly at Terminal D/E, can expect a significantly shorter wait, with the process taking around 25 minutes less than standard security lines. Those planning to depart PHL this weekend or early next week are advised to check the airport’s real-time TSA wait time website frequently for updates. It’s important to note that the Transportation Safety Administration does not offer reimbursement for missed flights caused by delays in the security screening process. However, travelers may consider purchasing third-party travel insurance to cover such expenses. Additional delays could occur due to recent terminal closures at PHL. Terminal C was shut down in early March, followed by the closure of Terminal A-West and Terminal F. These closures have increased the volume of passengers at remaining terminals, potentially lengthening wait times. The ongoing partial federal government shutdown is also affecting air travel nationwide. TSA has reported an absence rate of about 10%, which has strained staffing levels and contributed to extended security lines. Travelers are encouraged to arrive at the airport well in advance to account for these factors. (This story has been updated to correct a misspelling in a headline)#federal_aviation_administration #philadelphia_international_airport #transportation_security_administration #tsa_precheck #terminal_d_e
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
