Houston’s major airports have become the epicenter of the federal government shutdown’s devastating impact on air travel, with passengers facing unprecedented wait times of up to five hours at security checkpoints as Transportation Security Administration staffing shortages reach crisis levels.

Unprecedented Delays at Bush Intercontinental

TSA checkpoint wait times have ballooned past three hours at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, with some passengers enduring up to five hours in line. The situation has become so severe that only two out of the airport’s five terminals remain open for TSA screening due to staffing shortages caused by the ongoing government shutdown.

Terminals C and D have been closed, and even TSA PreCheck has been suspended at some checkpoints. One passenger flying out Monday morning reported there was no active TSA line at Terminal A, only a CLEAR line, which agents warned might not remain operational if the shutdown continues.

Passenger Frustration Reaches Breaking Point

Social media has exploded with frustrated travelers documenting the chaos. “My son is going to miss his flight back to college from Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston because the lines to check in are backed up for HOURS,” user LanceZierlein wrote on X.

“I’ve been in line 3 hours and not even past the actual security entrance,” another traveler reported. “If you’re flying out of the Houston airport, allow 6 hours to go through security”.

The disruptions have forced passengers to completely restructure their travel plans. After a weekend of wait times of more than three hours at Bush Airport and one hour at Hobby, lines were expected to be shorter Tuesday but travelers were still advised to arrive early.

Hobby Airport Also Affected

The crisis extends beyond Bush Intercontinental to Houston’s second major airport. The estimated wait time to get through security at William P. Hobby Airport is one hour, with Houston Airports warning that TSA wait times may be one hour or longer because fewer screening lanes are open.

Human Cost of the Crisis

The shutdown’s impact on TSA workers themselves has been devastating. One Houston TSA worker was facing eviction after lost paychecks left him unable to pay rent, only avoiding homelessness after sympathetic viewers pitched in with donations.

The delays are the result of a shortage of TSA workers, who are employees of the federal government and working without pay as the shutdown has entered its second month.

Airport Officials Respond

Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports, released a statement acknowledging the crisis: “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 sincerely thank our passengers for their patience and flexibility. The federal government shutdown has impacted TSA staffing and operations nationwide. Houston Airports is doing everything possible to support our TSA partners,” Szczesniak said.

Operational Adjustments and Passenger Guidance

With the lines in Terminal C closed at Bush, the Houston Airports System says United Airlines passengers should check their bags at Terminal C and then go to Terminal E for security screening. Since Saturday, only TSA checkpoints at Terminals A and E are open at Bush Intercontinental, though TSA PreCheck and CLEAR remain available at both terminals.

The Houston Airport System issued an advisory warning travelers to prepare for longer security wait times “until further notice” due to the federal government shutdown.

Broader Texas Impact

Houston isn’t alone in facing TSA-related disruptions. The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport faced delays with a temporary pause on inbound and outbound flights issued Sunday due to air traffic control staffing constraints. Dallas-Fort Worth International airport has also experienced delays, with over 10,000 flights delayed and nearly 400 cancelled, and two ground delays issued last week.

National Security Implications

Half of the nation’s busiest airports faced severe staffing shortages over the weekend, triggering a cascade of delays and cancellations that are rippling through the entire country. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted that airport delays are “only going to get worse” as long as the shutdown continues and federal employees increasingly call in sick.

Looking Ahead

If the shutdown drags longer into November, the real pain point could come during Thanksgiving week, when a record number of Americans are expected to travel for the holidays. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, told Forbes that the stress on the air transportation system from workers not showing up will likely prompt lawmakers to end the government shutdown: “We know what happens when the planes stop”.

For now, Houston travelers face a grim reality: what was once a routine part of air travel has become an endurance test that can consume an entire day. As the shutdown continues with no resolution in sight, the chaos at Houston’s airports serves as a stark reminder of how quickly essential government services can collapse when political dysfunction takes precedence over public safety and basic functionality.

The message from airport officials remains consistent: arrive early, expect delays, and prepare for the possibility that your travel plans may be completely upended by a crisis that shows no signs of ending.