Air travelers use international TSA lines amid hours-long airport waits

Airports including LaGuardia, Atlanta and Houston reported hours-long TSA security waits, and some domestic passengers are using international checkpoints or TSA PreCheck Touchless ID to move through lines.

Airports across the United States are reporting long security lines as staffing and pay issues affect TSA operations. The article reports wait times of more than 2.5 hours at several major airports and notes lines at some locations reached outward toward parking areas. Airport officials and a union representative described travelers trying to use alternative checkpoints and touchless identity options to speed screening. The piece also reports that some TSA employees have missed pay, and officials and unions are discussing funding concerns. Reported developments: - LaGuardia, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, and William P. Hobby in Houston were among airports reported with wait times exceeding 2.5 hours, and some lines were described as stretching toward parking areas. - Atlanta airport officials posted a warning about increased congestion at the International Terminal checkpoint caused by domestic travelers attempting to bypass Domestic Terminal lines. - Some travelers with TSA PreCheck are using the Touchless ID program, which the TSA says uses facial comparison technology for identity verification and will be available at 65 airports by spring 2026. - A TSA worker and union representative, Joseph Cerletti, said some officers have missed pay and described financial strain for some staff; he called for prioritizing TSA funding, as reported in the article. Summary: Long security lines have caused delays and prompted some passengers to use international checkpoints and touchless ID options, while officials report staffing and pay concerns among TSA employees. Undetermined at this time whether staffing or funding issues will be resolved soon, though the TSA plans to expand Touchless ID to 65 airports by spring 2026.