Wait times could top 3 hours at this Houston airport as government shutdown persists

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,” traveler Nael Tannira said.

Tannira 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,” traveler Tamisha Diggs told KHOU 11.

On Sunday afternoon, around 4 p.m., the line for security in Terminal A went downstairs into 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,” traveler Cesar Aparicio told KHOU 11 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,” traveler Urayna Nance said.

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

“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.

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.

Houston Airports says many TSA agents are currently working without pay as the federal government shutdown continues. To help ease the strain, Houston Airports’ own staff are assisting TSA workers in moving passengers through checkpoints and trying to keep lines from backing up further.

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.