TSA lines wrapped around Houston airport terminals Sunday as the effects of security staffing shortages worsened on the 33rd day of the federal government shutdown.

Projected wait times at security checkpoints climbed to three hours at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and one hour at William P. Hobby Airport on Sunday after the two airports scaled down their TSA operations over the weekend.

“We sincerely thank our passengers for arriving early and for their patience and flexibility during this challenging time,” Houston Airports Director of Aviation Jim Szczesniak said Sunday afternoon. “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.”

Passengers who stood through the winding lines took to social media to raise their grievances with the lines and government shutdown and to warn others to plan accordingly.

“Look y’all, look at these people,” a Facebook user named Toni Toombs Gordon said in a video filmed Sunday. “This is crazy. So while your government is thinking they’re doing what’s right for everybody, they’re not. Essential workers need to be paid. And you need to stop now and pay these people to do their job that is essential.”

FLIGHT DELAYS: Flight delays persist as government shutdown leads to air traffic controller shortages

Bush Airport had limited its security checkpoints to Terminals A and E for the second straight day, and Hobby had also reduced its screening lanes.

“ARRIVE EARLY,” a graphic read on Bush Airport’s X page Sunday.

Houston Airport System has not divulged the reason for the security force reduction, but it comes as TSA officers work without pay during the shutdown.

SHUTDOWN LATEST: Furloughed federal workers face delays getting unemployment pay during shutdown

Social media on X and Facebook has showcased some of the chaos left behind by the staffing shortages. One traveler said they were standing in line with a toddler for 40 minutes. In Facebook videos, lines were seen stretching outside a departures terminal.

“Godspeed anyone flying out of IAH today,” a user said on X.

“Imagine the (cluster) this will be for thanksgiving” another wrote.

On Facebook, John George delivered a public service announcement as he ventured from Bush Airport to Ronald Reagan National Airport in the Washington, D.C., area. He urged his followers to make it to the airport extra early so they had enough time to inch through the TSA backlog.

“No matter where you check your bag you still have…a long ass walk,” he said. “Happy Sunday everybody.”

Some didn’t make it aboard.

“When you miss your flight because Houston Airport  is a total mess!” a Facebook user wrote with a pair of angry-looking emojis.

This article originally published at Here’s what people are saying about Houston airport TSA delays as waits stretch to 3 hours.