Air travel chaos is unfolding at airports nationwide as a prolonged stalemate over Department of Homeland Security funding has left many Transportation Security Administration officers working without pay. This financial uncertainty has led to increased absenteeism, with some officers calling out sick, resulting in passengers facing hours-long security lines. The situation has become so acute that the TSA has warned some smaller airports could “literally shut down” if staffing shortages worsen, as aircraft cannot depart without passengers and crew clearing security.
At Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), the crisis was visible in the pre-dawn hours earlier this week, with lines extending outside the terminal as captured in a video posted by the airport’s official social media account. This is not an isolated incident. The ripple effects of understaffed checkpoints are causing significant operational strain across the national aviation system.
While the systemic funding issue requires a congressional solution, travelers are not powerless. A specific, underutilized program—TSA PreCheck Touchless ID—offers a potential reprieve for eligible passengers. This technology-driven lane can often move faster than standard PreCheck, but its adoption remains limited by awareness and enrollment requirements.
What is TSA PreCheck Touchless ID and How Do I Get It?
TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is an enhancement to the standard TSA PreCheck program, currently available at select airports for passengers flying on participating airlines. Instead of presenting a physical boarding pass and ID to an officer, the system uses facial recognition technology to match your live image to the photo on file in your government-issued passport or state ID. This touchless verification aims to speed up the document-checking process.
It is critical to note that enrollment is not automatic. Travelers must actively opt-in before arriving at the airport. The process, as outlined by the TSA, involves a few key steps in your airline profile:
- Ensure your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is entered in your airline profile.
- Provide a valid passport number and country of issuance.
- Select “OPT IN” for Touchless ID within your profile settings or during digital check-in with a participating airline. Current participants include American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.
- Verify that your selected airport is on the official list of participating locations.
Finally, upon receiving your boarding pass—mobile or printed—look for the specific TSA PreCheck Touchless ID logo. Without this designation on your pass, you will not be permitted to use the dedicated lane, even if you are a PreCheck member.
How to Check Real-Time TSA Wait Times
Navigating current conditions requires real-time data. The most reliable methods for monitoring security line lengths include:
- CNN’s Live Airport Wait Time Tracker: The network maintains a public dashboard for 16 major U.S. hubs, including ATL, JFK, LAX, MIA, DFW, and DEN. For example, recent data showed wait times of 65 minutes at George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) in Houston, 43 minutes at JFK, and 21 minutes at both Newark (EWR) and Salt Lake City (SLC). This aggregate data offers a national snapshot but may lack terminal-specific granularity.
- The MyTSA App: This official, free TSA application provides estimated wait times updated every 15 minutes for hundreds of airports. It aggregates reports from both TSA officers and travelers, offering a broader, if sometimes estimated, view.
- Individual Airport Websites and Social Media: Many major airports, such as LaGuardia (LGA), Los Angeles (LAX), and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL), operate their own live wait time maps on their websites, often broken down by terminal and checkpoint. These are frequently the most precise, as they rely on on-ground sensors and staff reports. Following your departure airport’s official accounts on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) can provide immediate alerts about checkpoint closures or extreme congestion.
A Word of Caution on Social Media “Hacks”
In response to the delays, social media platforms are abuzz with user-generated “hacks.” One viral Instagram post claimed to reveal a “hidden” security checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), suggesting international-bound passengers could use domestic checkpoints to bypass lines. The airport’s official account explicitly debunked this, warning that such actions “cause even more congestion and delays” and urging passengers to use the correct, designated checkpoint for their flight.
Similarly, forums like Reddit host threads with unconventional tips, such as wearing a “security vest” to organize belongings for faster bin placement. While organization is always wise, travelers should exercise extreme caution. Attempting to use the wrong checkpoint, as seen in Atlanta, can lead to missed flights, secondary screening, or fines. The most effective strategies remain those officially sanctioned: enrolling in trusted programs like TSA PreCheck (and its Touchless ID variant) and using verified, real-time wait time resources to plan your airport arrival accordingly.
