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By Jenni Fink
Senior Editor
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TSA PreCheck is usually a great way for travelers to fast-track their way through airport security lines, but with the partial government shutdown, even those with the additional security clearance may experience longer wait times.
Airports are being plagued by longer wait times amid the partial government shutdown, which has left TSA employees working without pay. Hundreds of employees have quit or taken unscheduled time off, according to the Department of Homeland Security, making it more difficult to promptly process the daily number of flyers.
Without enough staff to fully run security checkpoints, some airports have shut down all or some TSA PreCheck lanes and are sending all passengers through regular security lines.
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TSA PreCheck Wait Time: How To Check
Travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck typically experience much shorter security lines than those using standard screening lanes. According to the TSA, the vast majority of PreCheck passengers wait less than 10 minutes at security checkpoints nationwide.
PreCheck wait times can often be viewed alongside standard lane times on the MyTSA mobile app. However, airports have begun to close dedicated PreCheck lanes because of the staffing shortage. Instead, travelers with PreCheck are being told to show their ticket in the standard security line to receive expedited screening. The MyTSA app tells travelers if PreCheck is unavailable.
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Atlanta (ATL) TSA Wait Time
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, the world's busiest airport in 2025, is known for heavy passenger traffic, particularly during early mornings and late afternoons. It services more than 108 million passengers each year.
TSA PreCheck is open and all terminals have an estimated security wait time of 0-15 minutes as of the time of publication, according to the MyTSA mobile app.
Baltimore-Washington (BWI) TSA Wait Time
BWI handles roughly 27 million travelers annually. The airport is operating TSA PreCheck in the B, D and E checkpoints and has an estimated security wait time of 0-15 minutes, as of publication, according to the MyTSA mobile app.
Boston (BOS) TSA Wait Time
TSA PreCheck is open at the Boston airport at Terminal A, Terminal B North and South and Terminal C. All terminals have an estimated security wait time of 0-15 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA mobile app.
Charlotte (CLT) TSA Wait Time
Charlotte Douglas International Airport serves more than 50 million passengers per year, largely as a domestic connecting hub. TSA PreCheck is open at checkpoint 2. All terminals have an estimated security wait time of 0-15 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA mobile app.
Chicago O'Hare (ORD) TSA Wait Time
Chicago O'Hare International Airport serves as a major hub for domestic and international flights, with TSA checkpoints spread across multiple terminals. TSA PreCheck is currently not available, according to the MyTSA app, and passengers are being told to show their boarding pass with TSA PreCheck on it to receive expedited screening in a standard security lane.
Wait times are currently estimated to be between 15 and 30 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA app.
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) TSA Wait Time
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport operates multiple security checkpoints across its five terminals. TSA PreCheck is open at the airport in terminals A, B, C, D and E. All terminals have an estimated security wait time of 0-15 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA mobile app.
Denver (DEN) TSA Wait Time
Denver International Airport handles more than 82 million passengers annually, with heavy traffic tied to its role as a major domestic hub. TSA PreCheck is open at the airport at the South and West checkpoint. Estimated wait times for security is 0-15 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA mobile app.
Detroit (DTW) TSA Wait Time
Detroit Metropolitan Airport handles roughly 34 million travelers annually. TSA PreCheck is open at the McNamara terminal and the North terminal. Estimated wait times for security is 0-15 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA app.
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) TSA Wait Time
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport serves more than 35 million passengers a year. TSA PreCheck lanes are open at the airport in Terminals 2, 3, and 4. However, the airport is seeing longer wait times than some other airports, with estimated wait times of 15-30 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA app.
Houston Bush (IAH) TSA Wait Time
George Bush Intercontinental Airport serves roughly 45 million passengers per year. TSA PreCheck lanes are open in Terminals A and C. However, the airport is seeing longer wait times than some others, estimated at 15-30 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA app.
Las Vegas (LAS) TSA Wait Time
Harry Reid International Airport sees nearly 60 million travelers annually. TSA PreCheck lanes are open in Terminals 1 and 3. However, the airport is seeing longer wait times than some others, estimated at 15-30 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA app.
Los Angeles (LAX) TSA Wait Time
Los Angeles International Airport processes about 74 million passengers annually, with traffic spread across nine terminals. TSA PreCheck is open at terminals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Estimated wait times at security checkpoints are between 0-15 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA app.
Miami (MIA) TSA Wait Time
Miami International Airport handles more than 50 million passengers a year, with a high share of international traffic. TSA PreCheck is open at the Central, North and South terminals. Estimated wait times at security checkpoints are between 0-15 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA app.
Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) TSA Wait Time
The Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport serves about 38 million passengers each year. TSA PreCheck is open at the North, South and Humphrey checkpoints. The current estimated wait time is 0-15 minutes for security as of publication, according to the MyTSA app.
Newark (EWR) TSA Wait Time
Newark Liberty International Airport serves about 46 million passengers a year. TSA PreCheck is open at terminals A, B and C, but the airport is experiencing longer security wait times than some others. The estimated wait time is 15-30 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA app.
New York John F. Kennedy (JFK) TSA Wait Time
John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York is one of the busiest international gateways in the United States, and wait times can vary widely depending on terminal, airline and time of day. TSA PreCheck lanes are open at terminals 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8. The estimated wait time is 15-30 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA app.
Orlando (MCO) TSA Wait Time
Orlando International Airport serves millions of leisure travelers each year, particularly during school breaks and holiday periods, because of the area's theme parks. TSA PreCheck lanes are open at the East and West checkpoints. The estimated wait time is 0-15 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA app.
Philadelphia (PHL) TSA Wait Time
Philadelphia International Airport serves about 33 million passengers per year. TSA PreCheck lanes are open at terminals A, B, D and E. Terminal C PreCheck lanes are closed and passengers must all use standard security lanes. The estimated wait time is 15-30 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA app.
San Diego (SAN) TSA Wait Time
San Diego International Airport handles about 25 million travelers annually. TSA PreCheck lanes are open at checkpoint 10 in Terminal 1 and in Terminal 2. The estimated wait time is 15-30 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA app.
Tampa (TPA) TSA Wait Time
Tampa International Airport serves about 25 million passengers per year. While Tampa is experiencing a lot more traffic because of spring break, the airport said it's not experiencing "significant delays or backups." TSA PreCheck lanes are open at in the main terminal at airside A, C, E and F. The estimated wait time is 15-30 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA app.
Washington Dulles (IAD) TSA Wait Time
Dulles International Airport handles roughly 25 million travelers annually. TSA PreCheck lanes are open in the main terminal in the main checkpoint and west mezzanine. The estimated wait time is 0-15 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA app.
Washington Reagan National (DCA) TSA Wait Time
Reagan National Airport serves about 24 million passengers per year. TSA PreCheck lanes are open in the main terminal in the North and South checkpoints and in Terminal A. The estimated wait time is 0-15 minutes as of publication, according to the MyTSA app.
TSA PreCheck: How to Apply
TSA PreCheck is a trusted traveler program that allows approved passengers to use expedited security lanes at participating U.S. airports. Travelers in PreCheck lanes typically do not need to remove shoes, belts, light jackets, laptops or compliant liquids during screening.
To apply, travelers must complete an online application through the TSA or an authorized enrollment provider, schedule an in-person appointment and submit fingerprints and identity documentation. Membership is valid for five years at a set fee, and approval times may vary depending on background check processing.
Once approved, travelers receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN), which must be added to airline reservations to access TSA PreCheck benefits.
Even with TSA PreCheck, Travelers are advised to get to the airport well in advance of their flight to ensure they can get through security in time to make their boarding time. People with TSA PreCheck are advised is to get to the airport at least an hour before a domestic flight and two hours before an international flight. With the strains on TSA resources, it's not a bad idea for travelers to give themselves a little extra time.
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