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Airport Delays May Linger As TSA Pay Restarts, ICE Stays
The Traveler contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We are grateful if you use these as it helps a lot! Read the full policy. Emergency action to restart paychecks for Transportation Security Administration officers is beginning to ease the worst airport bottlenecks, yet travelers are being warned that lengthy delays and an unusual security presence by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could remain fixtures at U.S. airports for days or even weeks. Get the latest news straight to your inbox! Shutdown Relief Brings Pay, But Not Instant NormalcyThe partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, now well into its second month, pushed thousands of TSA officers to work without pay and led to a wave of sick calls and resignations. Publicly available information shows that more than 500 officers have left the agency during the latest funding lapse, eroding staffing just as spring travel picks up.Reports indicate that an emergency directive from the White House, signed on March 27, ordered TSA personnel to be paid despite the lapse in regular DHS funding. According to published coverage, many officers began receiving back pay at the start of the week, easing some of the immediate financial strain that contributed to staffing shortages.Airports in major hubs, including Atlanta, Houston and New York, had recorded some of the longest security lines in the agency’s history, with average waits spiking to several hours at the height of the disruption. While early data and media accounts suggest those lines have shortened since pay resumed, airlines and airport operators continue to advise passengers to arrive significantly earlier than usual.Industry analysts note that the operational damage from weeks of attrition cannot be reversed overnight. Training a new transportation security officer typically takes several months, meaning the loss of experienced screeners during the shutdown is likely to translate into lingering bottlenecks even as paychecks restart.ICE Agents Fill Gaps As Security Footprint ShiftsIn response to the escalating delays, the administration approved an unusual move: deploying Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to help at passenger checkpoints. According to multiple news reports, ICE personnel have been dispatched to busy airports across the country to perform ancillary security duties and back up strained TSA teams.Published coverage d...
TSA PreCheck vs. CLEAR+ 2026: Do You Need Both? - FinanceBuzz
Our View TSA PreCheck makes ID verification wait times in airport security lanes more tolerable and simplifies the body and baggage screening process, while CLEAR+ streamlines ID verification at TSA lanes. Enrolling in both offers the fastest airport security screening experience for travelers who frequently fly through major airports. Getting through security at an airport is rarely an enjoyable experience — especially when you're in the general line. But with expedited security programs such as TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+, you could move through the long lines at security faster and get on your way to your flight. But how do these programs work, and what do they cost? Below, we dissect each of these programs so you can make the best decision for your travel needs. TSA PreCheck vs. CLEAR+ It's worth noting that TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+ aren't competitors — they often work best together. They both offer options to shorten wait times, but in their own ways; CLEAR+ simplifies the documentation check, while TSA PreCheck cuts down the physical security screening. But whether you should use one, the other, or both together depends on your typical travel habits. TSA PreCheck CLEAR+ Cost $76.75-$85 $209 Membership term Five-year membership One-year membership Application process Apply online, and then complete a ~10 minute in-person appointment Apply online, and then finish registering at any CLEAR+ location in a few minutes Benefits Expedited airport security screening; no need to remove shoes or certain items from bags Expedited document checks at select airports, stadiums, and other venues; all identification is completed through biometrics using eyes and fingerprints Locations 200+ domestic airports 50+ domestic airports, stadiums, and other venues Kids allowed? Children ages 12 and under can use the PreCheck lane with their enrolled parents; children between ages 13 and 17 traveling with enrolled parents can use the PreCheck lane if they have the PreCheck indicator on their boarding pass; children between ages 13 and 17 traveling alone must have their own membership Children under 18 can use the CLEAR+ lane with their parents; up to three family members can be added for $125 each Discounts available? Yes, many of the best travel credit cards offer TSA PreCheck credits. Yes, a few programs offer CLEAR+ credits, such as: American Express® Green Card American Express Platinum Card® Delta SkyMiles United MileagePlus How TSA PreCheck wor...
Security lines ease at NYC airports, but LaGuardia delays persist | See ...
As of Wednesday, wait times at Newark Liberty International Airport have dropped significantly, while LaGuardia is still experiencing delays of up to two hours.
Airport Security Wait Times | Delta News Hub
The latest Delta Air Lines news covering business, health and safety, leadership, routes and waivers, Delta people, our values and more.
