Travelers flying out of JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark Airports are seeing something unusual right now: security lines stretching far beyond what anyone expected for spring break travel.
The cause isn’t today’s gross weather alone — it’s a staffing crisis at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) driven by the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown.
This isn’t your typical travel snag.
Some airport security officials are warning the situation could get even worse unless funding is restored — and that has serious implications for millions of flyers across the NYC area.
What’s happening with TSA right now
Right now, TSA officers at major U.S. airports are working without full pay due to a partial DHS funding lapse that began Feb. 14.
As a result, staffing has become a recurring problem and wait times have ballooned.
At a recent hearing and first reported by New York Post, acting TSA Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl warned, “We’re fully stretched… if this continues, it’s not hyperbole to suggest that we may have to quite literally shut down airports, particularly smaller ones if call‑out rates go up.”
Even at huge hubs like JFK, absenteeism among security screeners is rising sharply — around 20 % of staff have been calling out sick or skipping shifts, up from the usual ~2 % before the shutdown according to USA Today citing TSA data.
More than 360 TSA officers have already resigned since the shutdown began according to the DHS, and that figure keeps climbing, contributing to hours‑long security lines in airports nationwide.
What it looks like in NYC airports
Here in the New York metro area, that strain is showing up in real time:
- JFK (10-30+ minutes as of Mar. 17 afternoon) — One of the busiest international gateways in the country, JFK typically sees long security lines even in normal travel seasons. With staffing shortages like those seen now, wait times have spiked substantially.
- LaGuardia Airport (2 – 15 minutes as of Mar. 17 afternoon)— Known for shorter domestic waits, but recent reports suggest longer queues and unpredictability at check‑in.
- Newark Liberty International Airport (up to 40 mins as of Mar. 17 afternoon) — As another major hub, Newark has also seen increased wait times as officers call in sick.
At all three airports, travelers are being advised to plan for line waits that can stretch into multiple hours — even before showing up at the TSA checkpoint.
How to check TSA wait times before you go
Rather than walking into airport security blind, New Yorkers have a few reliable tools to gauge how long lines look before you leave the house:
- MyTSA App – The official TSA app offers updated estimates for security wait times at many U.S. airports, including JFK, LGA, and Newark.
- Airport Websites – Major airports publish their own security wait time projections (both JFK and LGA list these on their official pages).
How early NYC travelers should arrive
Because of the staffing crunch, airline and TSA suggestions have shifted for many flights:
- Domestic flights: Arrive 2–3 hours before departure
- International flights: Arrive 3+ hours early, especially at JFK
- Peak windows: Early morning and late afternoon are typically busiest
This is more conservative than usual flight‑prep advice — but well worth it if you want to avoid missing your plane.
Does TSA PreCheck or Global Entry help?
Yes — but conditions are changing. TSA PreCheck and Global Entry can still speed up your screening when they’re fully operational, but during the shutdown, staffing shortages may reduce how many dedicated PreCheck lanes are open.
Good news: the Global Entry program was briefly paused but has since been restarted despite the shutdown, offering pre‑approved travelers a faster re‑entry process.
Still, it’s wise to double‑check your PreCheck status and lane availability before heading to the airport.
