Chaos descends on NYC airports as TSA funding crisis sparks 3-hour wait times
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Air travelers at major New York City airports faced massive delays on Sunday, March 23, as a funding crisis affecting the Transportation Security Administration triggered long security lines and staffing shortages.
Passengers at LaGuardia Airport and John F Kennedy International Airport reported waiting up to three hours, with frustration mounting as agents worked without pay amid an ongoing political standoff in Washington.
The disruption comes during a busy spring travel period, compounding delays and leaving many travelers stranded or at risk of missing flights.
DHS strike disrupts travel
The chaos stems from a dispute between Republican and Democratic lawmakers over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Transportation Security Administration. The disagreement has left TSA agents working without pay, leading to widespread absenteeism and staffing shortages.
As a result, airports across the country, including New York City’s busiest hubs, have seen unusually long security lines and delays. “It’s insane,” stranded Texas traveler Chip B, 66, told The New York Post after spending 45 minutes on the pre-check line at LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B. “If this is about getting short-handed with TSA agents, c’mon, let’s get them hired.”
Chris, a 54-year-old Connecticut resident, voiced frustration with lawmakers, saying, “Get their s—t together. That’s what they need to do.”
“My big thing is TSA work isn’t a great job in the first place,” he added. “They’re not getting paid while the politicians who are screwing up everything are getting paid.”
Travelers reported significant disruptions, with some flights delayed as security bottlenecks slowed passenger movement through terminals.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Jared Everett, who was visiting New York and experienced a 40-minute delay for his 4:30 pm flight to Charlotte.
“This has been pretty irresponsible of our lawmakers to put us in this position,” Everett said. “We deserve better. They’re not the most functional group of people we’ve seen.”
One airline worker described the situation bluntly: “It’s crazy.”
Measures planned to ease backlog
In response to the growing crisis, President Donald Trump said additional personnel would be deployed to major airports beginning March 24, including agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to help manage the backlog.
Some travelers welcomed the move despite concerns over role overlap.
“Whatever helps facilitate the movement of people,” Chris said. “It’s not their their job. I’d rather have our government get their act together.”
The funding impasse continues to impact operations nationwide, with no immediate resolution announced as negotiations remain ongoing.
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