The Department of Homeland Security announced a suspension of TSA PreCheck on Sunday morning, only to reverse it hours later. This quick change came amid a partial government shutdown over funding disputes. Airports across the U.S. saw confusion. PreCheck lanes, which let vetted travelers skip long security lines, stayed open. The move affects millions who pay fees for faster screening. It happened as a winter storm canceled thousands of flights.
Key Takeaways
- DHS planned to pause TSA PreCheck and Global Entry at 6 a.m. ET Sunday due to funding lapse.
- TSA reversed course, keeping PreCheck operational nationwide.
- Global Entry suspension may still happen; staffing will decide on a case-by-case basis.
- Reaction came fast from lawmakers, travelers, and airlines over potential chaos.
Background
A partial government shutdown hit DHS on February 14. Congress failed to pass funding for immigration enforcement. This left agencies like TSA and Customs and Border Protection short on cash. About 63,000 TSA workers kept screening passengers without pay. They handle security at over 400 U.S. airports every day.
TSA PreCheck serves more than 20 million members. These folks pay a fee for background checks. In return, they get shorter lines and don't remove shoes or belts at many checkpoints. Global Entry does the same for international arrivals. It combines PreCheck with faster customs.
Shutdowns force hard choices. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said staff needed to shift to basic screening. Lawmakers from both parties bickered over ICE budgets. Democrats wanted cuts to deportations. Republicans pushed for more border agents. No deal yet. And now a big winter storm adds pressure. Airlines canceled over 7,000 flights. Spring break looms in weeks.
Travelers felt the squeeze early. At Raleigh-Durham International Airport, lines built up. People wondered if their PreCheck would work. Similar scenes played out at LAX and St. Louis. For a few hours, some PreCheck lanes closed. Passengers grumbled. One group, Travelers United, called it a bad move. They said PreCheck speeds things up for everyone.
But DHS acted fast. Criticism poured in from airports, airlines, and politicians. Elected leaders said it hurt regular folks. Industry groups warned of gridlock. By midday, TSA stepped in with new guidance.
Key Details
DHS posted the suspension notice early Sunday. It targeted PreCheck and Global Entry starting at 6 a.m. ET. The goal? Free up workers for the main crowds. Noem's statement blamed politicians for the mess. She noted real risks to security and paychecks.
Early Confusion at Airports
Airports got mixed signals. RDU in North Carolina kept all lanes open. Reporters checked Sunday morning. Travelers moved through without hitches. LAX saw temporary closures. Signs confused passengers. St. Louis reported the same. TSA then told airports they could run PreCheck if staffed enough.
TSA issued a clear statement by afternoon.
"At this time, TSA PreCheck remains operational with no change for the traveling public. As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly." – TSA spokesperson
Congress perks took a hit too. No more courtesy escorts for lawmakers. Those officers now screen everyone else. Global Entry status stays murky. CBP might still pause it. No final word yet.
Charlie Leocha, head of Travelers United, hit back hard.
"The whole reason for PreCheck and for Global Entry is to make things faster. And why do you want to get rid of the one thing that helps you out?" – Charlie Leocha, president of Travelers United
Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi, called it political games. He said it made travel slower and less safe. Airlines for America echoed that. Their CEO said travelers shouldn't suffer from budget fights. Check our coverage on airlines canceling flights ahead of winter storms for more on travel woes.
The funding lapse ties to bigger immigration battles. Raids and deportations sparked deaths, including U.S. citizens. Congress debates rage on. Noem also cut FEMA's non-disaster work to focus on storms.
Earlier this week, DHS hinted at cuts in a related move. See our report on the initial DHS suspension of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.
What This Means
PreCheck users breathe easier for now. No mass line backups. But shutdown drags on. TSA workers miss paychecks. They screen 2 million passengers daily. Fatigue could build. Airports watch staffing close. One thin shift might close lanes anyway.
Spring break travelers plan ahead. Families book early. Business folks rely on speed. A full suspension would jam terminals. Economy feels it too. Travel drives jobs in hotels, shops, airlines. Groups like U.S. Travel say mobility matters. Longer lines mean missed flights, lost cash.
Global Entry hangs in balance. International flyers watch CBP news. Enrollment fees fund these programs. Users pay $78 to $100 for five years. They expect service. If paused, kiosks go dark. Lines at customs stretch.
Politicians face heat. Shutdown started February 14. Eight days in. No vote soon. House fights over ICE money. Senate stalls. Trump admin pushes hard lines on borders. Democrats cry foul. Travelers caught in middle.
Airports adapt. Some add staff. Others post alerts. RDU stayed smooth. LAX bounced back. Storm cleanup adds work. Canceled flights mean refunds, rebooks. Check coastal storm warnings for DC area if you're headed east.
Frequent fliers adjust habits. Some skip PreCheck lanes just in case. Apps show wait times. TSA posts updates online. Noem's team eyes more shifts. FEMA skips routine calls. Storms get priority.
Travel industry pushes Congress. Letters fly. CEOs call offices. Public pressure mounts. Past shutdowns hit hard. 2019 saw 800,000 furloughs. This one targets DHS. Impacts ripple.
Passengers share stories online. Frustration boils. One dad missed a kid's game last shutdown. Another lost a deal. PreCheck saves time. Twenty minutes vs. two hours. That's the draw.
TSA trains more officers. But funding lacks. Volunteers help? No. Essential staff grind on. Back pay comes later. Morale dips. Errors rise in stress.
This reversal buys time. Lanes hum. But uncertainty lingers. Watch for updates. Shutdown ends when lawmakers deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck lets pre-approved travelers use fast lanes at security. You keep shoes on, laptops in bags. Over 20 million use it. Costs $78 for five years.
Why did DHS try to suspend it?
Shutdown cut funding February 14. DHS wanted to shift staff to regular lines. Lawmakers argue over ICE budgets.
Is Global Entry affected?
PreCheck is safe for now. Global Entry might pause. TSA checks staffing case by case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck lets pre-approved travelers use fast lanes at security. You keep shoes on, laptops in bags. Over 20 million use it. Costs $78 for five years.
Why did DHS try to suspend it?
Shutdown cut funding February 14. DHS wanted to shift staff to regular lines. Lawmakers argue over ICE budgets.
Is Global Entry affected?
PreCheck is safe for now. Global Entry might pause. TSA checks staffing case by case.
