TSA Travel Truths – Will More Delays Cause Travelers to Miss Their Flights?

On May 25, 2016

Peter V. Neffenger, T.S.A. administrator and head of the security agency, didn’t have good news for summer travelers. Thanks to Neffenger’s testimony in front of members of the House Homeland Security Committee, some sad TSA travel truths reveal more delays causing travelers to miss their flights are expected.

Travel is expected to continue to increase through the summer. The 2016 summer vacation time-frame will likely hit some new peaks after a decline in travel during the recession. Delays across America have forced many passengers to miss their flights. Chicago was one of the highlights seeing some of the hardest hit locations for delays and missed flights after nearly 500 people were stranded at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on May 15.

While travel begins to spike, Peter V. Neffenger confessed to lawmakers, “We are at a lower staffing level than we need to be to address peak demand.” TSA works have been trimmed by 12% since Neffenger took over last year. Basically, as travel demands spike, the manpower has been dropping. That means, less workers and longer lines.

Only 768 TSA workers will be added by mid-June according to the head of the TSA. “This is unacceptable and it’s time for Congress to act,” committee Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said. “Change is not happening fast enough.”

So what does this all mean for savvy travelers? While the TSA is attempting to resolve the issue by adding more staff and promoting part-time employees to a full-time status, expect to be at the airport early. The standard was 2 hours before your scheduled flight time. That, under the current supply and demand of security, will likely not be enough. Plan to check in to find out how long the TSA wait times are at least 4 hours before your flight.