As the partial federal government shutdown stretches into its fourth week, TSA officers at airports across the country are still working with little or no pay — and travelers are already feeling the impact at security checkpoints.
With spring break traffic ramping up and another missed paycheck coming, officials and experts are warning that wait times could spike with little warning, including at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark this weekend.
Officials warn: “TSA lanes can vary from shift to shift”
Funding for the Department of Homeland Security (which includes TSA) lapsed in mid-February after Congress failed to reach a deal on immigration enforcement, triggering a partial shutdown that has left roughly 50,000 TSA employees working without full pay.
In a memo to lawmakers, TSA leadership and union representatives said officers are already missing rent, selling plasma, and sleeping in their cars just to keep showing up to work.
“The number of available TSA screening lanes can vary from airport to airport and from shift to shift, depending on how many officers report to work,” warns Houston Hobby Airport — and NYC travelers should expect the same risk.
Airports in Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, and San Juan have already reported hours-long security lines, with some advising passengers to arrive four to five hours early as unpaid officers stay home or pick up other jobs.
Are NYC airports seeing long lines yet?
The good news: so far, JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark have avoided the worst of the nightmare lines seen in other cities, thanks in part to aggressive overtime and schedule juggling. According to recent updates cited by Yahoo and local coverage:
- At Newark (EWR), general security wait times peaked around 20–25 minutes, with TSA PreCheck lines closer to 5–10 minutes, despite the shutdown according to NJ.com.
- At JFK, mid-morning waits have hovered in the 15–25 minute range for standard lanes, with PreCheck often under 10 minutes — longer than a normal weekday, but far from the three-hour horror stories in Houston.
- Local outlets caution that the real risk is volatility: staffing can shift daily as more officers hit financial breaking points.
Why a shutdown hits TSA lines so hard
Unlike many federal workers, TSA officers are deemed “essential,” which means they’re required to keep working even when their paychecks stop — but they’re not legally prevented from calling out sick, quitting, or picking up alternative work.
During last year’s DHS shutdown, TSA saw nearly 1,100 resignations — a 25% workforce hit over just two months., and union leaders say they’re bracing for a similar pattern now. The result:
- More last-minute sick calls as officers try to cover bills.
- Fewer open screening lanes, especially during early mornings and late nights.
- Knock-on delays that can ripple from security lines to boarding and departure times.
Live updates: How to check TSA lines at JFK, LGA & EWR
If you’re flying this weekend, “set it and forget it” won’t work — you’ll want to check wait times in real time before you even leave your apartment.
Here’s where to look for live updates:
- JFK Airport: The official site posts checkpoint wait times by terminal and flags any abnormal delays.
- LaGuardia (LGA): LGA’s site and app provide estimated waits by terminal.
- Newark (EWR): Newark lists TSA checkpoint waits online and via its app.
Recommendations for NYC travelers this weekend
Travel experts and airline insiders are aligned on a few practical tips if you’re flying out of a NYC-area airport while the shutdown is ongoing:
- Arrive earlier than usual. Multiple outlets suggest giving yourself an extra 30–60 minutes as a buffer during the shutdown.
- Use PreCheck if you have it, but don’t assume it’s immune. PreCheck lines have also lengthened at some airports when staffing is thin.
- Fly carry-on only when you can. If security lines balloon and you’re cutting it close, not having checked bags makes rebooking or clearing the checkpoint faster.
- Monitor your airline’s app closely. Some carriers have quietly added change-fee waivers on specific routes hit hardest by shutdown-related delays.
Will this get worse — or end — soon?
As of March 13, negotiations on Capitol Hill remain stalled, with Democrats and Republicans still deadlocked over immigration enforcement money in the DHS budget.
A Senate vote expected as early as this week could restore DHS funding and allow back pay to flow, but there’s no firm deal yet — meaning TSA officers could miss another full paycheck if talks drag on.
Until that changes, even NYC’s relatively stable airports are at risk of sudden, shutdown-related slowdowns.
For now, the safest move is to treat every TSA checkpoint like it might be understaffed: arrive early, check live wait times, and build in a cushion.
Your future self at the gate — not sprinting down the concourse while final boarding is called — will thank you.
