As scenes of airport security lines wrapping around terminals at major airports continue, the Chicago Department of Aviation says passengers heading to O’Hare or Midway “may experience longer-than-usual wait times” as the busy spring break travel season unfolds.
According to the CDA, travel over spring break is “historically one of the busiest times of year.” Travel volume at both airports is expected to start increasing Thursday and continue to remain high over the next 12 days, with more than 3.7 million people expects to pass through the airports.
“The CDA is closely monitoring conditions, and airport customer service and security teams remain on-site to assist airport partners and travelers and to support safe and efficient airport operations,” a release from the CDA said. “The TSA and airlines continue to recommend arriving at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight.”
Can you check TSA wait times at O’Hare?
Some airports have seen wait times stretch well past an hour. In recent days, passengers reported waiting up to two hours in line at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, while people were advised to get to the airports in New Orleans and Austin, Texas, as much as three hours before their flights.
Many other airports reported wait times in line with normal conditions, making it difficult for travelers — especially those with upcoming trips or those accustomed to arriving at the last minute — to know what to expect.
The uneven delays are being driven by a mix of factors, including a partial government shutdown that has strained Transportation Security Administration staffing, along with heavy spring break crowds. Most school spring breaks in Illinois begin either on March 23 or March 30, with Chicago Public Schools closed for break starting Monday.
While some major airports have websites that provide updates on TSA security wait times, O’Hare and Midway do not. TSA wait times may be found on the MyTSA mobile app, but since TSA isn’t actively managing its sites during the shutdown, the information listed may not be accurate.
When asked questions about what passengers can expect at O’Hare and Midway airports this week, the CDA directed NBC Chicago to the Department of Homeland Security.
TSA and DHS did not immediately respond to NBC Chicago’s request for comment.
TSA agents calling out sick as shutdown continues
A press release from the DHS said the partial government shutdown has led to increased callouts from TSA agents, as well as hundreds of officers quitting.
“Attrition has also surged, with 366 TSOs leaving the force,” the release said. “This loss compounds TSA’s ability to meet passenger demand, as each new TSO replacement requires 4-6 months to be trained and certified, leaving critical gaps in staffing.”
Thursday marks day 33 of the partial government shutdown, leading to TSA agents working without pay while lawmakers remain without an agreement on DHS’ annual funding.
During a recent interview with Fox and Friends, TSA Chief of Staff Adam Stahl warned that some smaller airports could shut down if callout rates go up.
The shutdown, which began Feb. 14, affects only the Department of Homeland Security, which includes TSA. It is the third funding lapse in a year that has left roughly 50,000 TSA agents working without pay and waiting for money from missed paychecks.
Democrats in Congress have said Homeland Security won’t get funded until new restrictions are placed on federal immigration operations following the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this year.
“It’s so hard to predict where these bottlenecks are going to pop up,” Eric Rosen, director of travel content for travel and finance website The Points Guy said. “One airport might have 30% of its TSA agents calling out in a certain day and 10% the next day. There’s just no way to know that in advance.”
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