How have the TSA lines been with the shutdown?

[Geemo]

I generally fly down 4-5 times a year and am very familiar with both SNA and LGB's TSA.

Wondering how the TSA lines have been at each with the government shut down.

What can you tell me about TSA for.....
SNA?
LGB?
Please include date and time of travel at airports.

Thinking of booking a trip. But want to have an idea of how TSA has been.

TIA
Geemo

 

[10SE]

It’s been almost two weeks, but I flew out of SNA on a business trip on Thursday 1/10 in the late afternoon and there was pretty much no line for both pre-check and normal security.

 

[Mousequake]

Flew out of SNA at 10:00 AM yesterday and there was literally no line at all. I walked right up to security and breezed through.

 

[WonkaKid]

This isn’t about SNA or LGB, however I flew out of Chicago O’Hare about two weeks ago into LAX and I got through security in about five minutes. O’Hare is a very busy airport but the TSA line was perhaps the shortest I’ve ever see. That could be down to simply good luck but thought I’d share anyway.

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

In the last two weeks, our family (in various combinations of people) have flown from GRR, MDW, SFO, and LAX. All were totally fine - no more lines than usual! This Sunday, LAX was actually a LOT faster with their security than usual. SFO was SUPER quick the Saturday before that.

 

[tink89]

1/19 Flew SJC to SNA arrived like 9:30 am normal lines. Pretty slow for a holiday.
1/21 Flew SNA to SJC departure 1:00pm no lines at all. Pretty slow.

Both flights were on time.

 

[sherilaine]

My hat is off to these people who are working hard without pay!! I have talked to my kids about this and about how patient we all have to be when travelling. I am hoping that for the sake of the employees, this is all water under the bridge by the time we fly in 19 days time...

 

[Disney127]

Thanks everyone for the updates! We have learned to give ourselves plenty of time when we travel and to be patient. Even tho we have pre-check, sometimes, those lines can get long too.

 

[Pamela M]

I heard not sure if it's true that at SFO & San Jose Airport that the city's are paying the TSA agents until the shutdown is over. This may be the case in other big city airports.

 

[Lesley Wake]

I heard not sure if it's true that at SFO & San Jose Airport that the city's are paying the TSA agents until the shutdown is over. This may be the case in other big city airports.

For SFO the shutdown won't have any impact because they have private security screeners. There are only about 30 or so airports (https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/screening-partnerships). I believe MCO is even considering moving to a private company if the problems aren't fixed soon. I think there are pros and cons to each method, but in the end it doesn't impact the average traveler much.

 

[twodogs]

TSA pre check line was open at SNA when we were there 2 weeks ago, but it was slow. However, at DFW this week, all the security lines were consolidated into one line (so NO pre check line, NO priority/first class line) due to TSA staff shortages. I read that when TSA is short staffed, the “extra” lines like pre check get closed first. So don’t rely on being able to breeze through pre check lines at every airport right now, as some of them are completely closed due to the shut down. And then that funnels everyone into one slow moving, long line. Plan for the worst and hope for the best!!

 

[Disney127]

TSA pre check line was open at SNA when we were there 2 weeks ago, but it was slow. However, at DFW this week, all the security lines were consolidated into one line (so NO pre check line, NO priority/first class line) due to TSA staff shortages. I read that when TSA is short staffed, the “extra” lines like pre check get closed first. So don’t rely on being able to breeze through pre check lines at every airport right now, as some of them are completely closed due to the shut down. And then that funnels everyone into one slow moving, long line. Plan for the worst and hope for the best!!

Thanks for this! Yes, plan for the worst and hope for the best!