The wait times continue to go up as the government shutdown continues.

HOUSTON — Travelers flying out of Houston’s airports should plan for big delays at security checkpoints as the federal government shutdown impacts TSA staffing and operations nationwide.

Houston Airports says TSA wait times may exceed three hours at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and more than an hour at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). The delays are expected to continue until further notice.

“Frankly, it’s just two people are fighting over political issues, and this is the victim, the public,” Nael Tannira said.

She saw the security line outside of Terminal E and decided it wasn’t worth the effort. He missed his flight. Other passengers say they witnessed people acting restless.

“I done walked past people fighting, cussing each other out, it’s crazy,” Tamisha Diggs told KHOU.

On Sunday afternoon, around 4 p.m., the line for security in Terminal A went downstairs in baggage claim, and people were waiting for at least two hours to get upstairs through security.

“This is insane, it’s looking like I’ll miss my flight,” Cesar Aparicio told KHOU while he was in the Terminal A line.

Passengers say they trekked between Terminals A and E in hopes of seeing better wait times, but that wasn’t the case.

“I finally go over there [to Terminal E] and it’s catastrophic,” Urayna Nance said.

She trekked from Terminal A to Terminal E in hopes of boarding a flight home to Detroit.

Instead of flying home, she’s planning to stay overnight at the airport with hopes that conditions improve.

At Bush Airport, only TSA checkpoints at Terminals A and E are open. Airport officials say United Airlines passengers should check their luggage at Terminal C, then head over to Terminal E for security screening by walking or taking the airport subway. The Subway connects all five terminals, and once screened, travelers can take the Skyway to reach each gate.

At Hobby, officials say fewer screening lanes are open, which is contributing to longer lines there.

“Poor communication, other issues going on. I do understand the shortage in the staff and the why, but it’s just very inconvenient for all our passengers,” Nance said.

Other passengers are hoping authorities can improve this flying fiasco.

“My only hope is the authority of the governor. He has to call in the TSA people to come in and open up more TSA entrance areas,” Tannira asked.

Houston Airports Director of Aviation Jim Szczesniak calls this a “challenging time.”

“We sincerely thank our passengers for arriving early and for their patience and flexibility during this challenging time,” he said in a statement issued Sunday. “The federal government shutdown has impacted TSA staffing and operations nationwide, AND Houston Airports is doing everything possible to support our TSA partners and keep passengers moving safely and efficiently. “We ask that passengers continue to arrive early and expect extended security wait times until the federal government shutdown is resolved.”

Officials urge passengers to arrive several hours early for their flights and allow extra time to get through security until the shutdown ends.

Check current security wait times at Bush Airport | Check current security wait times at Hobby Airport

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