JFK Airport Access Strained by Security Delays

TSA staffing shortages from government shutdown cause security delays over 60 minutes at JFK

JFK Airport Security Wait Times Top One Hour

Travelers at John F. Kennedy International Airport are facing security wait times exceeding one hour as Transportation Security Administration staffing shortages create significant delays at checkpoints. The disruptions stem from TSA workers calling out during the ongoing partial government shutdown, which has stretched into its sixth week. On Monday, 33.7% of TSA workers at JFK didn't report for duty, making it one of the top five airports nationwide for TSA absences.

Shutdown Forces 50,000 TSA Workers to Work Without Pay

Approximately 50,000 TSA employees nationwide have been working without paychecks during the partial government shutdown, which is nearing 40 days. The financial strain has led to the highest absence rates during this period, with workers facing nearly 40 days without pay. The Department of Homeland Security announced that hundreds of ICE officers are being deployed to airports to help ease the disruption at security checkpoints. Officials haven't specified how long the additional staffing support will remain in place or whether it'll be sufficient to reduce wait times to normal levels.

International Travelers Face Longest Delays

Passengers heading to international destinations like Madrid and India faced particularly long waits at JFK's security checkpoints. Travelers reported arriving earlier than usual to accommodate the expected delays, with some adjusting their travel plans to account for the extended processing times. Delta Air Lines suspended specialty services to members of Congress until further notice, prioritizing all customers equally during the disruption. Officials didn't provide specific data on how much earlier passengers should arrive or how many flights have been affected by travelers missing departures due to security delays.

No Timeline for Resolution as Shutdown Continues

Federal officials haven't announced when the partial government shutdown will end or when TSA staffing levels will return to normal. The shutdown has stretched into its sixth week with no immediate resolution in sight. Officials didn't provide a timeline for when wait times at JFK and other affected airports might improve or when TSA workers will receive their delayed paychecks.

Passengers Express Sympathy for Unpaid TSA Workers

Some travelers expressed sympathy for TSA workers who've been working without pay for nearly 40 days, even as they dealt with extended wait times. Passengers adjusted their travel plans as best they could, with many arriving hours earlier than normal to ensure they'd make their flights. Moovit provides real-time airport transit connections and updates to help travelers plan their journeys to JFK and other major airports during disruptions.