“We appreciate your patience and understanding as our partners work to maintain the safety of all passengers,” the airport said on social media.

HOUSTON — Travelers flying out of William P. Hobby Airport on Sunday faced unusually long security lines, with some waits stretching four to five hours as spring break travel ramps up.

Officials say the delays are tied to staffing shortages during the partial government shutdown, which has reduced the number of available TSA  screening lanes.

Normally known for shorter lines compared to George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Hobby saw security lines stretching out of the terminal and into the downstairs passenger pickup area at times on Sunday.

For many travelers, the wait began as soon as they arrived.

“Oh Lord, I walked through there and I said, ‘Woof, we’re gonna be here awhile,’” one traveler said.

Passengers like Michael Cevallos and his daughter Navi encountered the crowds early Sunday morning. Cevallos said the line was already overwhelming when they arrived.

“Just to drop them off was crazy. Then we parked, we came inside — I mean the line was out the door. Nobody was giving direction,” Cevallos said.

After waiting three hours in the TSA line, Cevallos ended up missing his flight. He rebooked for Sunday night and planned to try again later in the day.

Other travelers said the long waits created widespread frustration among passengers.

“There’s been a lot of frustration. A lot of people are very upset,” traveler Leah Turner said.

The delays come as the temporary lapse in funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security means many TSA employees are continuing to work without pay, marking the second time in five months that workers have faced that situation.

Some travelers said the situation highlights the toll the shutdown is taking on everyday people.

“Give them people their money,” one traveler said.

Despite the frustration, some passengers tried to keep a positive outlook — even while traveling with small children and heavy luggage.

“We’ve got a little trooper here,” Cevallos said of his 15-month-old daughter. “I’m walking with a backpack in the front, backpack in the back, luggage stroller, everything else. It’s a little overwhelming to have to do it twice.”

The Houston Airport System said during the partial government shutdown, staffing impacts can vary from shift to shift.

Airport officials recommend travelers arrive four to five hours before their scheduled flight and check with their airline for the latest travel information.



Wait times at George Bush Intercontinental Airport were significantly shorter. You can check the latest wait times on fly2houston.com.

In addition to the shutdown impacting staffing, spring break is drawing large crowds at the airports. Houston Airport officials said they expect more than 2.2 million passengers to travel through Hobby and Bush, making it one of the busiest travel stretches of the year.

KHOU 11’s Michelle Choi was at Bush Airport Saturday morning to speak with travelers.

“It’s just totally busy,” traveler Anna Gazis said. “I’ve never seen it like this, wild.”

Gazis was headed home to Connecticut to help her parents pack for a move. She said that despite the crowds, she remained cautiously optimistic.

“Definitely frustrating, but I’m not too concerned,” she said. “I think we’re going to get through, I just wish we could get through faster.”

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