The My TSA app might be your best friend come holiday travel season.
One of the busiest times for travel is rapidly approaching and airports are sure to be crowded, especially in North Texas. DFW International Airport is the central hub of Fort Worth-based American Airlines and Dallas Love Field is the headquarters of Southwest Airlines.
Further complicating matters is the ongoing government shutdown, which has caused operations delays at several major U.S. airports, impacting security wait times and snarling flights.
DFW Airport and Love Field were mostly unaffected at the beginning of the shutdown, but have seen impacts in recent days. The Federal Aviation Administration issued ground delays at DFW Airport on three separate days last week. On Monday, the FAA again issued a ground delay for both DFW and Love Field, slowing flights bound for North Texas at their departure airports.
Aviation News
If the shutdown persists and a situation of “mass chaos” comes to fruition, which U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicts, it’ll be key for travelers to be prepared for the effects.
Here’s how you can take advantage of the TSA app to be prepared when you fly.
Where can you download the My TSA app?
You can download the My TSA app on both major app stores, no matter if you have an android or Apple device.
How do you see your airport’s wait times?
Once you’ve downloaded the app, open it and you’ll be taken to your dashboard. On the dashboard, you’ll see a tab for “favorite airports.” You can add an airport to your favorites by searching for it under that tab.
How will you know the wait time at North Texas airports?
Once you add DFW Airport or Love Field to your favorites, it will constantly display a TSA wait time at both airports every time the app is opened. For example, as of 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, the wait time at DFW is between 15 to 30 minutes and at Love Field it’s between zero and 15 minutes.
The app will also tell you whether there are any delays issued by the FAA and whether TSA PreCheck security lanes are open at the airports.
Other tips for travelers
Both DFW and Love Field are encouraging travelers to arrive earlier to the airport due to ongoing construction. Love Field travelers should plan to arrive at least two hours prior to their flight during roadway closures. DFW is encouraging travelers to arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and at least three hours before international flights in order to navigate construction.
DFW passengers can also check wait times on the airport’s website. Another useful resource for travelers is the airline app for the carrier you’re traveling with, as that can provide real-time updates regarding flights and any impacts.
American Airlines laying off some management employees
The affected positions are primarily at the carrier’s Fort Worth HQ.
Love Field, DFW flights delayed due to staffing issues
Flights at the airports were delayed by an average of 74 minutes and 21 minutes, respectively.