TSA Pre Check and Global Entry suspended

[Dan Murphy]

An FYI.....

Homeland security to suspend TSA PreCheck and Global Entry airport security programs

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/22/homeland-security-suspends-tsa-precheck-global-entry-airport-security-programs?CMP=share_btn_url

 

[sam_gordon]

As I've said in previous threads, I used TSA Pre this morning The only difference was some non-pre Travellers were in the same line AFTER the ID check.

Still didn't have to take anything out of my bag (normal for my airport), still went through the X-ray (vs body scanner), still got a "Precheck card".

I fly home Friday afternoon. I'll try to remember to report my experience. I wonder if those claiming "NO TSA PRE!" are doing it more as a scare tactic than anything practical

 

[VGCgroupie]

I’m in a lot of travel groups and so far I haven’t seen anyone report any that have shut down, many have been reported as open and used today (Sunday)

 

[OKW Lover]

It seems odd to me that they are temporally discontinuing this program. It's designed to help trusted travelers through the security checkpoints and as such takes less effort on the part of the TSA agents. Pausing the program would seem to have the opposite effect as they will now have to do the full process on everybody. How does this help?

 

[gottalovepluto]

It seems odd to me that they are temporally discontinuing this program. It's designed to help trusted travelers through the security checkpoints and as such takes less effort on the part of the TSA agents. Pausing the program would seem to have the opposite effect as they will now have to do the full process on everybody. How does this help?

Math wise it does not. Any other thoughts are going to belong on the controversial board…

 

[Marrila]

It seems odd to me that they are temporally discontinuing this program. It's designed to help trusted travelers through the security checkpoints and as such takes less effort on the part of the TSA agents. Pausing the program would seem to have the opposite effect as they will now have to do the full process on everybody. How does this help?

Maybe they expect to not have extra folks to staff more lanes?
TSA is working for free again currently.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

There's a difference between pre-check lane and then given the benefit of having pre-check but going through the regular line. That happens if there isn't enough staff or hours or if you choose to go through the regular line but have pre-check. Sam's situation seems more like that with him talking about being given a card for pre-check and being mixed in with non-precheck people. My husband had that as well during the time in which he had pre-check but I did not when we traveled together he would just go through the regular line with me but was given the pre-check card that gave him the normal benefits that come with that.

What is the suspension is the separate line for pre-check and global entry. However, between privately run and contracted out airport security and perhaps just a disregard for the suspension it may mean that people are not affected uniformly.

 

[gottalovepluto]

It’s full of political stuff so I refuse to link to the official notice but DHS has said this is happening. (Guess none of the TSA airport heads picked up their phones this morning to get the message? Can’t blame them lol.)

Personally I suspect we see it randomly later today and fully in effect tomorrow.

 

[japanese maple]

It seems odd to me that they are temporally discontinuing this program. It's designed to help trusted travelers through the security checkpoints and as such takes less effort on the part of the TSA agents. Pausing the program would seem to have the opposite effect as they will now have to do the full process on everybody. How does this help?

It doesn't help. And I don't think this will have the same sense of "urgency" for travelers that the air traffic control shortages had, so the pressure to end shut down won't be there.

 

[sam_gordon]

Personally I suspect we see it randomly later today and fully in effect tomorrow.

The question would be "what affect will it have?". I've been through airports, even before this shutdown, where the Pre and non are directed to the same line, the only difference being what needs to come out of bags & what scanner they go through.

Either one doesn't really require extra bodies (even going through the xray just temporarily pulls an agent to monitor).

Supposedly this "shutdown" has been in place for a week.

I'll report back on Friday when I return home, but I think/feel the claim is more of a scare tactic than anything.

 

[Coastie]

PLEASE be mindful of what the TSA staff are going through during the DHS budget impasse. Many are under much stress and under staffed to meet the demands of normal passenger throughput and doing their best, under the circumstances.

Thanks for your patience... a simple thank you goes a long way for these frontline workers.

 

[MikeOhio]

As I've said in previous threads, I used TSA Pre this morning The only difference was some non-pre Travellers were in the same line AFTER the ID check.

Still didn't have to take anything out of my bag (normal for my airport), still went through the X-ray (vs body scanner), still got a "Precheck card".

I fly home Friday afternoon. I'll try to remember to report my experience. I wonder if those claiming "NO TSA PRE!" are doing it more as a scare tactic than anything practical

If you actually read the announcement, it says they’re not shutting it down until 6 PM tonight. So your experience this morning is irrelevant.

 

[japanese maple]

I don't think anyone was saying this was the TSA staff's fault.

 

[Dan Murphy]

PLEASE be mindful of what the TSA staff are going through during the DHS budget impasse. Many are under much stress and under staffed to meet the demands of normal passenger throughput and doing their best, under the circumstances.

Thanks for your patience... a simple thank you goes a long way for these frontline workers.

We have a very good friend who is a TSA agent at O'Hare, about 15 years now. She said it's always tough, but very tough right now, especially without the pay.

 

[sam_gordon]

If you actually read the announcement, it says they’re not shutting it down until 6 PM tonight. So your experience this morning is irrelevant.

Do you have a link to the actual announcement?

As I said, I'll report back when I return on Friday. I can only report what I've gone through.

ETA: Why did they not take this step when there was a 40+ day full (vs just DHS) shutdown last year?

 

[hardcorestitch]

Do you have a link to the actual announcement?

As I said, I'll report back when I return on Friday. I can only report what I've gone through.

ETA: Why did they not take this step when there was a 40+ day full (vs just DHS) shutdown last year?

Likely because of the Thanksgiving and Christmas concerns. There’s no holiday besides Easter to back continuing ops.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Gawrsh wrong thread.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Do you have a link to the actual announcement?

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/02/22...nts-emergency-measures-conserve-resources-and

 

[Brian Noble]

According to reporting by WaPo and NBC, the closure was announced by DHS officials for 6AM. I am not sure if DHS never intended to implement that, changed their minds, or both WaPo and NBC got the announcement wrong.

I have my opinions about which of those are more likely, but that is not relevant to this discussion.

 

[Dan Murphy]

A travel newsletter I get weekly, Johnny Jet, advises...........

My advice to beat the long security lines, other than showing up to the airport super early, is to sign up for the private expedited service CLEAR. You can even do it at the airport (again, you’ll have to show up early) but it’s best to enroll in advance from home.


https://johnnyjet.com/the-departmen...heck-global-entry-making-travel-more-chaotic/