At Bush Airport, security lines will be open only in Terminals A and E, and the airport is warning passengers that TSA wait times could exceed 1 hour.
HOUSTON — The ongoing government shutdown will cause headaches for air travelers.
The Houston Airport System announced on Saturday that security wait times will increase at Bush and Hobby airports.
Security lines have been reduced as the TSA and air traffic controllers face staffing issues. Though both are considered essential workers, air traffic controllers have increasingly called out sick since the shutdown began.
At Bush Airport, security lines will be open only in Terminals A and E, and the airport is warning passengers that TSA wait times could exceed 1 hour.
Some travelers were forced to wait it out at Bush Airport on Saturday night.
“It’s an impact, we want to get home, it’s tough, I don’t like to wait, but we want to get home,” James Barnes said.
His flight from Houston to Orlando was delayed one hour on Saturday night.
“I feel bad for the employees that are working for the TSA, it’s not just here, it’s everywhere. I feel bad for them and it puts everyone in a higher like stress mode,” Barnes said.
United Airlines travelers will have to check their bags in Terminal C, then go to Terminal E for security. The air travel impacts haven’t hit everyone yet.
“I was surprised [that] we had no delays leaving or coming,” Cindy and Rebekah Cuellar said.
They returned home to Houston from their Las Vegas vacation. They are thinking of possible travel trouble ahead.
“We’re going to Finland for Christmas, we’re concerned not only with just with the TSA, air traffic control, but with international travel in general, a little worrisome,” Cuellar said.
This week, transportation secretary Sean Duffy warned that Thanksgiving travel may be a “disaster” if the shutdown continues.
People like Barnes are hoping it comes to an end.
“I feel bad for not just TSA but all the federal employees, I feel bad for our country,” Barnes said.
The bottom line, while this shutdown continues, passengers are asked to arrive early and allow extra time for security screening until further notice at both Hobby and Bush Airports.
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