The perfect storm of big spring break crowds, heightened security measures and a shortfall of TSA screeners is adding up to long security lines at airports across the country.
The Transportation Security Administration is asking flyers to check in two hours before their flight, blaming a lukewarm response to the agency’s fast track PreCheck program.
"Approximately 6.5 million people are enrolled in Trusted Traveler programs including TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, with more than 2 million in TSA PreCheck alone. The more people who enroll, the faster screening is for everybody," a TSA statement said.
The TSA cut the number of security screeners by 10% over the last three years in anticipation of many more travelers joining the PreCheck program, which costs $85-$100 for five years.
When this didn’t materialize, non-approved travelers were randomly added to fast track lanes to help speed up screening times but this was discontinued due to increasing security fears.
Current wait times are typically up to 90 minutes at some airports at peak times.
The agency says PreCheck express lanes screen up to 300 passengers every hour, which is twice the speed of the standard lanes.
Initially, the TSA said it expected 25 million people to join the programs but on the current rate of enrolment, it will take four years to reach that target.
"We had unacceptable line waits at the majority of our hubs. Based on what the TSA is telling us, there is no relief in sight," said Robert Isom, chief operating officer of American Airlines.
