(George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) / HOUSTON) Security lines stretched well beyond their usual markers in Houston on Monday as air travel continued to feel the ripple effects of the November 2025 government shutdown, with airport security checkpoints operating at reduced capacity and travelers reporting markedly longer TSA wait times.
At George Bush Intercontinental, passengers arriving for early morning departures faced 30 to 75 minutes of screening delays, according to airport operations staff, while some afternoon peaks pushed queues deeper into concourse corridors. The slowdown is hitting frequent flyers and families alike, with airline agents urging more time at the airport and travelers recalibrating their routines.
Cause of delays: staffing and scheduling pressures
At the center of the disruption is a wave of staffing shortages among Transportation Security Administration officers and related airport personnel, a problem that did not resolve immediately when the shutdown ended. TSA officers are deemed essential and remained on duty during the funding impasse, but schedules were strained, overtime was common, and attrition in high-cost markets left some lanes without adequate staffing.
The result has been fewer open lanes and slower throughput at screening points, particularly during morning and evening rushes when departure banks stack up by destination.
Local impacts in Houston terminals
At George Bush Intercontinental, security access has been narrower than usual, with only the checkpoints in Terminals A and E operating through the busiest periods. That has forced some passengers originating from other terminals to walk longer distances or hop onto airport transit to reach a working screening area.
Airport staff have tried to manage crowd flow with clear signage and roving guides, but travelers say the adjustment adds stress and time to an already tight pre-flight window—especially for families with strollers or passengers with mobility needs.
Passengers at William P. Hobby Airport reported similar patterns, though on a slightly smaller scale. There, limited lane openings combined with a spike in peak departures to create mid-day bottlenecks.
National context and airline responses
Across the country, large hubs reported comparable challenges. In California, screening queues at Los Angeles International and San Diego International stretched past the hour mark during peak periods, with travelers citing waits of up to 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Airlines operating in the United States cut schedules in response, canceling 6–10% of flights at scores of major airports. Those cancellations and related delays complicate the security picture:
- Passengers who are reticketed often re-enter the screening flow during odd hours.
- Rolling delays concentrate large groups of travelers in certain terminals, producing secondary surges at airport security checkpoints.
The shutdown’s effects also reached towers and control rooms, where staffing levels tighten more quickly because of specialized roles and strict certification rules.
Recovery timeline and operational constraints
Even as funding was restored, the return to normal has not been immediate. Aviation planners say rosters and shift bids don’t reset overnight, and it takes time to coordinate lane opening hours with airline departure waves. Experts estimate the system could require up to 6 days to stabilize after a government restart.
In the meantime, the message to travelers has remained consistent:
- Give yourself a wider buffer.
- Expect uneven lane availability.
- Build in extra time, especially if you’re connecting or checking bags.
Officials at Houston’s airports have urged flyers to arrive early and to plan for longer lines at security. Airline counters have echoed that guidance, advising at least three hours before domestic flights and four hours before international flights until operations fully recover.
Expedited screening and traveler tips
TSA PreCheck and CLEAR lanes continue to operate, though they, too, have felt the strain. Regulars who once breezed through in minutes now report busier queues within expedited lanes, sometimes merging with standard lines when space tightens.
Key traveler tips:
- If eligible, ensure your Known Traveler Number is attached to your reservation.
- Use the MyTSA app to check estimated wait times and checkpoint status: Transportation Security Administration.
- Prepare carry-ons to reduce secondary inspections (packed liquids, electronics accessible).
- Empty pockets and be ready to separate electronics and liquids when asked.
“Small efficiencies scale up when multiplied across thousands of passengers,” airport officials say. Preparing carry-ons and following screening instructions helps offset staffing shortages.
How lane closures reshape passenger flow
In Houston, having only Terminals A and E fully open for screening at the busiest times has had several knock-on effects:
- Passengers departing from B, C, or D must factor in extra walking or train time after clearing security.
- Crowds concentrate near certain concession clusters and gate areas, leaving other areas unusually quiet until boarding.
- Airlines have adjusted boarding announcements and nudged passengers via app notifications to head to security earlier.
Some carriers have also placed staff near checkpoint entrances to answer questions and assist with rebooking when delays threaten connections.
International travel and connecting passengers
For international travelers, timing pressures can be more acute. Long-haul departures bunch at certain times, and passport checks at the gate add another layer of pre-boarding screening. When TSA wait times balloon, gate agents often must decide between maintaining an on-time departure and accommodating delayed passengers still working their way through the checkpoint.
Families connecting from other U.S. cities are particularly vulnerable: a delayed inbound flight plus fewer open lanes can make tight connections nearly impossible without luck or assistance.
The human toll and on-the-floor response
The human side of the disruption is visible throughout terminals:
- Parents hand snacks to kids; solo travelers pace as departure times creep closer.
- TSA officers remain on the floor coaching passengers through screening steps to keep lines moving.
- Many officers and airport workers have faced long shifts since the shutdown; officials have asked the public to remain patient.
Staff emphasize the basics: empty pockets, prepare electronics, and be ready to separate liquids. These small steps help throughput when lanes are limited.
Longer-term recovery and traveler adjustments
The longer arc of recovery includes rebuilding rosters and restoring predictable lane schedules across terminals. Airports typically match checkpoint opening times to airline departure banks; that pairing works best when staffing is steady and overtime is limited. The shutdown disrupted that balance and introduced fatigue into the system.
Passengers are already adjusting expectations:
- Frequent flyers who once arrived 75 minutes before a domestic flight now plan for double that time.
- Families are front-loading the day to absorb possible snags at airport security checkpoints.
- Some travelers choose the first departures of the day for shorter queues and better rebooking options if flights cancel.
Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests periods following federal funding disruptions produce a lag in service restoration as agencies bring employees back to normal rosters and re-sequence deferred work. In aviation, that lag appears at checkpoints and in airline scheduling centers, where small staffing reductions can cascade through the day.
Practical checklist for travelers right now
- Arrive at least three hours before domestic flights and four hours before international flights.
- Build a buffer for transit between terminals if only certain checkpoints are open.
- Prepare carry-ons for screening to reduce secondary checks.
- Attach your Known Traveler Number if eligible for expedited screening.
- Use the MyTSA app and airport social feeds to monitor current TSA wait times and checkpoint status.
Outlook
If airline cancellations remain at the lower end of the 6–10% range and TSA can reopen more lanes in line with departure banks, TSA wait times should begin to fall within the coming days. If not, the safest route for travelers will continue to be arriving earlier than usual.
For travelers, that means trading time at home for a calmer experience at the gate. For the system, recovery will depend on patience, clear communication, and consistent staffing to bring flow back to normal.
This Article in a Nutshell
TSA staffing shortages lingering after the November 2025 federal shutdown have reduced checkpoint capacity at major U.S. airports, notably George Bush Intercontinental, where passengers faced 30–75 minute waits and only Terminals A and E stayed fully open during peaks. Airlines trimmed 6–10% of flights, aggravating surges and checkpoint congestion. Officials advise arriving three hours for domestic and four for international flights, using MyTSA and expedited programs, and preparing carry-ons to ease secondary inspections. Recovery could take up to six days as staffing rosters and lane schedules reset.
