It’s been over a month since the start of the partial government shutdown, which has left Transportation Security Administration employees agents without pay since receiving partial paychecks Feb. 28.
On March 13, TSA officers missed their first full paycheck. And the absence rate of agents has jumped to just over 10%, according to the Trump administration.
President Donald Trump said Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will be sent to airports to assist understaffed TSA starting Monday, March 23, amid the ongoing shutdown.
Most airports in Florida have reported checkpoint wait times around 15 minutes or less, however major hubs such as Orlando International Airport (MCO), may experience slightly longer delays during peak travel periods.
Here are the current security wait times at Orlando International Airport (MCO) as of March 22:
What is the current TSA wait time at Orlando International Airport (MCO)?
Here are regular security screening wait times at MCO, as of noon Sunday, March 22:
Gates 1-59: 37-41 minutes
Gates 70-129: 13-16 minutes
Gates C230-249: 28-31 minutes
How to check TSA wait times at Orlando International Airport (MCO), Daytona Beach Airport (DAB)
At Orlando International Airport (MCO), travelers can check wait times on the MyTSA app, at flymco.com/security, or through third-party websites such as ifly.com, flightqueue.com or tsawaittimes.com, which provide estimated wait times based on airport reports and traveler submissions.
Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) has an estimated TSA security time of 0-15 minutes as of noon, March 22, according to the MyTSA app.
However, the application issued a user notice that the website might not be actively managed due to the lapse in federal funding.
Florida flight delays at Orlando Airport (MCO), Daytona Beach Airport (DAB), on March 22
As of noon, here’s the amount of delays and cancellations today, March 22, at Orlando International Airport (MCO), Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB), in Florida, according to FlightAware.com:
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 153
Total cancellations today: 11
Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 11
Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB)
Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 1
Total cancellations today: 0
Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 0
Have TSA agents been paid?
Congress failed to pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), in mid‑February. On March 13, TSA officers missed their first full paycheck after receiving partial paychecks on Feb. 28.
MCO travel tips
Orlando International Airport (MCO) advises travelers to arrive at the airport three hours before a flight and to be at the security checkpoint two hours before departure. Here are some more tips the airport provided amid busy travel days:
Practice Three P’s:
Pack as lightly as possible.
Park in any available garage/lot or use reserved parking for a guaranteed spot.
Plane: Don’t miss it! Give yourself plenty of time to get through security and to your plane.
Use MCO App: Your personal MCO Assistant is close at hand for the best in-terminal navigation experience and more.
Use MCO Reserve: Passengers can book a time slot to go through a TSA security checkpoint.
Take advantage of cell phone lots: Instead of circling the airport, use the free North or South Cell Phone Lots to wait for your passenger. These convenient lots offer Wi-Fi and restrooms.
Pack right: Not sure what bag to take or what to pack? Our video offers some high-flying tips to help you decide.
Contributing: Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal and Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: MCO security wait times for Sunday, March 22