United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
More than 70,000 American Airlines passengers miss flights due to TSA lines
Tuesday, 27 May, 2016
0
American Airlines has revealed more than 70,000 passengers have missed flights this year due to excessive wait times at TSA security checkpoints.
More than 40,000 checked bags were also delayed, according to Kerry Philipovitch, customer experience senior vice president for American Airlines.
Philipovitch told a House Homeland Security subcommittee of the scale of the problem at the nation’s airports.
"To say customers are agitated is putting it mildly, and the public outcry has resonated. The result is a screening process that’s causing unacceptably long security lines and a frustrated flying public," she said.
Philipovitch said there are ‘three contributing factors’ which are adding to travelers’ misery.
"It appears TSA did not adjust its staffing model after screening protocols were changed. Second, TSA is experiencing abnormally high attrition and is not able to retain transportation security officers. Third, the TSA Pre-Check program, which allows low-risk passengers to go through expedited screening has not met enrollment goals," she said.
"All of these factors combined caused a systemic slowdown in passenger processing at security checkpoints, resulting in delays and missed flights."
Airlines have urged all passengers to arrive at least two hours early for flights as the busy Memorial Day holiday approaches.
TSA is adding extra canine teams and bringing in an extra 500 agents ahead of the busy summer travel season.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Exploring Brooklands Museum with Alex Patterson
Global Tourism Challenges and Upcoming Events: A Conversation with Don Welsh
Peebles Barbeque: A Legacy of Flavor and Tradition
Exploring Bok Tower Gardens with Erica Smith
Rue’s Living Water Boat Cruises: Exploring Winter Haven’s Chain of Lakes
Durango and Silverton Railroad: A Timeless Journey Through History and Scenic Beauty
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
Dozens of bodies recovered from DC river after midair collision
JetBlue scraps London Gatwick flights
Quake warning in Santorini after hundreds of tremors
Trump Admin vows to end cruise tax loophole
Cockpit tarantula causes flight delays