Miss your flight? How to navigate long lines during spring break, partial shutdown

Hundreds of Transportation Security Administration employees have resigned or taken unscheduled leave while continuing to work without pay.

WASHINGTON — Long lines at airport security have been causing headaches for travelers looking to leave town for spring break. 

According to the Department of Homeland Security, hundreds of Transportation Security Administration employees have resigned or taken unscheduled leave while continuing to work without pay, further complicating travel plans. 

In Houston on Thursday, KHOU reported that airport security lines stretched for hours at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The scenes accompany a lingering partial government shutdown, which has forced TSA agents to go without pay as Congress debates funding the Department of Homeland Security. 

Here are some ways to navigate what has been shaping up to be a tumultuous travel season. 

What happens when you miss your flight 

Of course, if lines stretch long enough, there is a risk that you could miss your flight. If that happens, airlines recommend quickly contacting representatives and making adjustments. If customers do not reach out, airlines could cancel an entire itinerary, so it’s important to contact the airline as soon as possible.

Typically airlines, like United, offer ways to rebook through an app without waiting on hold with a customer service representative. Other airlines, like Delta, recommend making a call or seeing a representative at the airport.  

Touchless ID

A new service allows TSA PreCheck members to speed through its reserved lines without even reaching for their passport or Real ID. The Touchless ID program only needs a scan of a PreCheck passenger’s face. 

Five major U.S. airlines are part of the program: Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest and United. Touchless ID is available at 65 airports. 

Reserve your spot in line at TSA for free

Five airports allow customers to reserve their spot in line at TSA for free. So, if you’re traveling out of Denver, Minneapolis, Orlando, Phoenix or Seattle, you can fast-track the line without paying for services like PreCheck or Clear+.