Photos show TSA lines clogging airports and snaking into parking garages during partial government shutdown delays

"Southwest texted me early that morning to expect up to 3-hour lines, so I left early. I never expected to see what I saw, though. The lines stretched from the security checkpoints, down an escalator, and out to the parking garage, snaking around the entire terminal multiple times."

"Nearly 2.8 million passengers passed through TSA checkpoints on Sunday, making it the agency's busiest day since January 4. The partial government shutdown, which began in February, has also left TSA security checkpoints short-staffed into Monday as employees call in sick rather than work without pay."

Multiple US airports including Houston, New Orleans, and Chicago faced significant delays on Sunday and Monday as nearly 2.8 million passengers traveled through TSA checkpoints during spring break season. The partial government shutdown beginning in February caused staffing shortages as TSA employees called in sick rather than work without pay. Security lines extended from checkpoints through escalators and into parking garages, with some passengers experiencing waits exceeding one hour even with TSA PreCheck. Airports advised travelers to arrive at least three hours before departure. While delays appeared to ease by Monday, the unprecedented congestion highlighted the impact of reduced staffing during peak travel periods.

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