HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Long security lines continue at Houston airports on Tuesday, but some travelers told ABC13 it’s taking less time to get through them.
This comes amid massive TSA callouts during the partial government shutdown.
According to new data from ABC News, 36% of officers were called out at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, while Hobby Airport had the highest call-out rate on Monday at 40%.
As a result of the callouts, ICE agents were deployed at both airports. They are mainly seen helping with crowd and line control.
RELATED: ICE agents spotted at Hobby and IAH; airport officials say TSA lines could exceed 4 hours at Bush
On Tuesday, the line got longer and shorter at different points of the day in Terminal A. At one point, the TSA line stretched across three floors, starting in the basement.
“I am stuck down here in this hellhole. I’m sorry. It’s really bad. We’re underground,” traveler Meg Lauck said.
But the time to get through it was actually faster than it was on Monday.
At one point, the line was almost nonexistent in Terminal A, but when it was most packed, ABC13 checked in with multiple travelers who said it took about an hour to reach the TSA checkpoint.
On Monday, many waited up to five hours in Terminal E. Still, some said they’re not putting up with the line at all.
“We’re underground. I have some claustrophobia. This is not pleasant,” Lauck said. “I’m literally leaving and going back and getting in a car and driving to New Orleans.”
For travelers who want to reschedule their flights, United Airlines issued a waiver on Tuesday that allows them to do so free of charge through Friday.
“I’ve been mentally preparing myself by thinking about how I’m going to converse with the people around me and pass the time that way,” traveler Stacie Gibbins said.
For more news updates, follow Sarah Al-Shaikh on Facebook and Instagram.
Copyright © 2026 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.