Airport Survival Guide: How to Fly During the 2026 Government Shutdown

With the DHS shutdown now past the one-month mark and spring break travel ramping up, airports across the country are experiencing some of the longest security lines in years. TSA callout rates have doubled, checkpoints are being consolidated, and travelers are being told to arrive 3-4 hours before their flights.

But you do not have to white-knuckle it. Here is a practical, step-by-step guide to flying with minimal stress during the shutdown, including how to use data and technology to your advantage.

Step 1: Check Real-Time Wait Times Before You Leave

The biggest mistake travelers make during the shutdown is treating every airport the same. Wait times vary enormously from airport to airport and even hour to hour at the same airport.

<a href="/">FlightQueue</a> provides real-time security wait time data for thousands of airports. Before you leave for the airport, check the current wait time at your specific checkpoint. If lines are short, you can stick to your normal schedule. If they are building, leave earlier.

<strong>Pro tip:</strong> Check wait times the night before and again the morning of your flight. Patterns can shift quickly during the shutdown as TSA adjusts staffing levels.

Step 2: Stack Your Speed Advantages

During normal operations, having TSA PreCheck is enough for most travelers. During a shutdown, stacking multiple programs gives you the best chance of a fast experience.

<strong>Level 1 — TSA PreCheck ($78/5 years):</strong> Keeps your shoes, belt, laptop, and liquids in your bag. Shorter dedicated line. Still open during the shutdown. This is the baseline every traveler should have.

<strong>Level 2 — Add CLEAR Plus ($209/year):</strong> Skips the document-check line entirely and takes you to the front of the PreCheck screening line. Privately operated, so fully functional during the shutdown. During normal times this is a nice-to-have. During a shutdown, it can save you an hour. <a href="/blog/clear-touchless-id-guide">Read our full CLEAR guide</a>.

<strong>Level 3 — Use TSA Touchless ID (free with PreCheck):</strong> At the 65 airports where Touchless ID is available, you can verify your identity with a face scan in under 10 seconds. No physical ID needed. This is the fastest version of the PreCheck experience.

<strong>The optimal stack:</strong> CLEAR Plus + TSA PreCheck + Touchless ID. You bypass the document-check line with CLEAR, go through simplified PreCheck screening, and verify your identity in seconds with Touchless ID. In practice, this combination can get you from the checkpoint entrance to your gate in under 10 minutes, even during a shutdown.

Step 3: Know the Worst-Hit Airports

Not all airports are equally affected by the shutdown. TSA callout rates and wait times vary significantly by location. Based on reporting through mid-March 2026, the airports experiencing the most severe impacts include:

<strong>Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL):</strong> The busiest airport in the country is feeling the shutdown acutely. Multiple checkpoints have been consolidated, and peak-hour waits have exceeded two hours.

<strong>Houston Hobby (HOU):</strong> Callout rates hit 50% at one point, leading to dramatically reduced screening capacity.

<strong>JFK (New York):</strong> Callout rates reached 76% during a blizzard in early March, though rates have improved since. International terminal waits remain unpredictable.

<strong>Newark (EWR):</strong> Callout rates of 53% have been reported. United hub with high volume and limited checkpoint alternatives.

<strong>New Orleans (MSY):</strong> Extended waits reported, compounded by Mardi Gras and spring break travel.

<strong>Charlotte (CLT):</strong> Significant delays at the American Airlines hub, with reduced lane counts during peak hours.

If you are flying from one of these airports, plan for extra time and consider using <a href="/">FlightQueue</a> to monitor conditions before you leave.

Step 4: Time Your Arrival Strategically

Official guidance during the shutdown is 3 hours for domestic and 4 hours for international. But arrival timing matters more than just showing up early.

<strong>Avoid peak hours:</strong> Early morning (5-7 AM) and late afternoon (4-6 PM) are typically the worst for security lines, and the shutdown amplifies these peaks. If your schedule allows, fly mid-morning (9-11 AM) or early afternoon (1-3 PM).

<strong>Avoid Mondays and Fridays:</strong> Business travel creates peak demand at the beginning and end of the work week. Tuesday through Thursday tend to have lighter checkpoint traffic.

<strong>Watch for spring break surges:</strong> Through mid-April, airports in vacation destinations (Florida, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Caribbean gateways) will see higher than usual volumes on top of the shutdown-related delays.

<strong>Use data:</strong> Rather than guessing, check <a href="/">FlightQueue</a> for your airport's historical wait time patterns. You can see which hours and days tend to be busiest and plan accordingly.

Step 5: Pack Like a Pro

During normal operations, a flagged bag is a minor inconvenience. During a shutdown with reduced staffing, it can mean a 20-30 minute wait for a manual inspection. Packing well is more important than ever.

<strong>Liquids:</strong> Follow the 3-1-1 rule strictly. Each container must be 3.4 oz or less, all must fit in one quart-sized clear bag, one bag per person. Leave anything questionable in your checked bag.

<strong>Electronics:</strong> Keep laptops and large electronics near the top of your bag where they are easy to remove. Tangled cables and dense electronics are common triggers for bag checks.

<strong>Clothing:</strong> Wear slip-on shoes, minimize metal (belt buckles, jewelry, heavy watches), and empty your pockets before reaching the checkpoint.

<strong>Prohibited items:</strong> Check the TSA "What Can I Bring?" tool before packing. Common items that get flagged include multitools with blades, oversized shampoo bottles, certain sports equipment, and large lithium battery packs.

Step 6: Have a Backup Plan

Even with the best preparation, the shutdown can create unpredictable situations. Having contingencies ready reduces stress.

<strong>Know your airline rebooking policy.</strong> If you miss a flight due to security delays, most airlines will rebook you on the next available flight at no charge. Check your airline's policy before your trip so you know what to expect.

<strong>Check credit card protections.</strong> Many premium travel credit cards include trip delay coverage that reimburses meals, hotels, and other expenses if your flight is significantly delayed. Review your card benefits before you travel.

<strong>Consider alternative airports.</strong> If you live near multiple airports, check which one has shorter wait times. Smaller regional airports generally have less impact from the shutdown than major hubs.

<strong>Monitor your flight.</strong> Security congestion creates cascading delays. Use <a href="/">FlightQueue</a> to track your flight status in real time. If your flight is delayed, you may have more time than you think.

<strong>Keep essentials in your personal item.</strong> If worst comes to worst and you need to gate-check your carry-on or rebook, having medications, chargers, and a change of clothes in your under-seat bag ensures you are covered.

The Bottom Line

Flying during a government shutdown is not dangerous and you should not cancel your trip. But it does require more planning than usual. The travelers who have the smoothest experience are the ones who check real-time data before they leave, stack their speed advantages (PreCheck + CLEAR), pack strategically, and have a backup plan.

The shutdown will end eventually. In the meantime, a little preparation goes a long way. Use <a href="/">FlightQueue</a> to stay informed, arrive early, and you will be fine.