TSA lines at Bush Intercontinental Airport-IAH could stretch outside the terminal Thursday.
HOUSTON — Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport is warning travelers to brace for security wait times of up to four hours or more on Thursday, March 26, as a federal government shutdown stretches TSA staffing thin and passenger volumes surge.
The extended waits are expected to be driven by a combination of reduced federal staffing and a spike in travelers linked to two major Houston events: CERAWeek and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Lines could extend outside the terminal.
The partial federal government shutdown, which began Feb. 14, has strained TSA operations at airports across the country. Officers are continuing to work without pay. During periods of reduced staffing, which can change from shift to shift, TSA may consolidate operations by reducing the number of open lanes.
Travelers should also be aware of two key operational changes currently in effect at IAH: TSA is operating in Terminals A and E only, and both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are temporarily unavailable. If you are flying from Terminal D, check your baggage at Terminal D, then proceed to Terminal E for security screening.
Wednesday saw lighter-than-usual traffic, a historically slower travel day, which kept lines manageable. But airport officials say thousands more passengers are expected Thursday and Friday.
To help manage the increased demand, a small number of TSA National Deployment Officers arrived at IAH this week. These officers are deployed nationwide to assist during staffing shortages, peak travel periods and major events, and are currently supporting additional screening lanes at the airport.
Houston Airports has set up a centralized webpage with live TSA wait times, updates and a video statement from the Houston Airports Director of Aviation. Officials say the page will be updated Wednesday evening with the plan for Thursday, and all updates are timestamped.
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