KPRC 2\u2019s Gage Goulding<\/a> is answering the most common questions. <\/p>\nQ: What is done if we are traveling with someone in a wheelchair? <\/p>\n
A: Try Terminal C. This checkpoint is for those with mobility issues and families with super small kiddos.<\/p>\n
Q: Is ICE actually helping with security?<\/p>\n
A: Today (Thursday), we learned that ICE went through a standard TSA training and is helping screen passengers, including checking IDs and operating TSA equipment.<\/p>\n
Q: How much longer before IAH considers scaling back flights?<\/p>\n
A: The airport itself wouldn\u2019t scale back flights. However, airlines could\u2014and likely will. United\u2019s CEO, Scott Kirby, already announced they\u2019re reducing about 5% of their flights due to rising jet fuel prices. I would reckon this situation might have something to do with it, too.<\/p>\n
A former TSA administrator said that massive airports like Bush Airport in Houston likely wouldn\u2019t see a closure. Smaller regional airports are the ones at risk.<\/p>\n
Q: Since when do you need to notify an official if you need to leave the line for the restroom when you\u2019re with your spouse?<\/p>\n
A: Yeah, that one was interesting to me.<\/p>\n
I think the folks at George Bush Intercontinental Airport are just doing the best they can to ensure everything is fair and there are no line jumpers.<\/p>\n
I heard announcements today saying, \u201cIf you need to leave the line, only airport staff can hold your spot\u2014not unauthorized people.\u201d<\/p>\n
I think they\u2019re trying to get ahead of people standing in line without a ticket just to sell their spot.<\/p>\n
Q: My flight\u2019s at 5 a.m.\u2014can I show up the night before and wait it out?<\/p>\n
A: My answer: yes\u2014if you feel like you need to, do it. The airport might have something else to say…<\/p>\n
Look, here\u2019s the deal: TSA opens sometime between 3 and 4 a.m., depending on the day and staffing. There\u2019s simply not enough time unless you\u2019re literally the first person in line. You\u2019re nearly guaranteed to miss that flight.<\/p>\n
I did a story today about ways to avoid waiting in line. One of the biggest tips: book a later flight. It gives you more time to get through the checkpoint.<\/p>\n
PRO TIP: I\u2019ve slept on airport floors before\u2014it\u2019s not fun. If you plan on it (good luck!), bring an extra sweatshirt to use as a pillow. Also, bring something warm\u2014you\u2019ll probably get cold. And set several alarms so you don\u2019t miss your flight.<\/p>\n
Q: Are the TSA PreCheck or Clear Plus lines opened at IAH?<\/p>\n
A: Unfortunately, no. They\u2019ve been closed for a while to ensure that they can screen everyone.<\/p>\n
Q: Why is IAH so much worse than other major airports? <\/p>\n
A: Likely due to a combination of high passenger volume, major events happening in Houston, and among the highest TSA callout rates in the nation.<\/p>\n
Q: Do I need to check in my bag first and then go wait in the long TSA line? <\/p>\n
A: Yes\u2014just like normal. Some folks have asked if they can check bags while a family member waits in the TSA line. Technically, no. Airline employees will check the ID of the person checking the bag. If it\u2019s not your name on the bag tag, you won\u2019t be able to check it.<\/p>\n
Q: Can my partner be in TSA line for both of us while I check my bag?<\/p>\n
A: Okay, this is a tough one. There\u2019s two parts to this…<\/p>\n
1. If you\u2019re checking your bag and yours only, this could work. Remember, the airline is going to check the ID of the person dropping off luggage. It all has to match up.<\/p>\n
2. It depends on how sour the folks are behind you, but they could accuse you of line cutting. Not that you\u2019re going to be dragged away in handcuffs, but it could make for an awkward couple of hours in line.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t have a simple yes or no for this one. It\u2019s at your own risk. <\/p>\n
Have a question? Drop it in the comments below or email Gage Goulding at ggoulding@KPRC.com<\/a>. <\/p>\nCopyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"HOUSTON \u2013 As the TSA shutdown eclipses the 40 days mark, security screening lines are reaching 4+ hours…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10250,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[4],"tags":[7361,1341,1248,6706,8,7362,2010,7363,366,7358,7360,1247,3841,3612,9,360,7,6256,7359,54,6707],"class_list":["post-10249","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-top-stories","tag-bush-airport","tag-department-of-homeland-security","tag-dhs","tag-george-bush-intercontinental-airport","tag-headlines","tag-hobby-airport","tag-homeland-security","tag-hou","tag-houston","tag-houston-airport-system","tag-iah","tag-ice","tag-immigration-and-customs-enforcement","tag-local-news","tag-news","tag-texas","tag-top-stories","tag-tsa","tag-tsa-wait-time","tag-u-s-news","tag-william-p-hobby-airport"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@news\/116301936891638305","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10249","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10249"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10249\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10250"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}