The ongoing partial government shutdown has led to major airport delays, but TSA PreCheck and Global Entry can help you avoid long security lines.
The shutdown affects funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). As a result, TSA workers have been furloughed since the shutdown began in February, and passengers are waiting in increasingly long lines -- some for more than four-and-a-half hours -- to get through security.
In a congressional hearing on March 25, Ha Nguyen McNeill, the acting TSA chief, said that nearly 500 workers have quit during the current shutdown, in addition to those workers calling out sick. That's led to what McNeill says are the highest wait times in the agency's history.
One way to avoid potential delays is to enroll in a paid service to get priority access through security. Expedited security lanes for CLEAR+ members and travelers with TSA PreCheck are still open at airports across the United States.
And if you're traveling internationally, using the Customs and Border Protection's Global Entry service -- which was initially suspended but now reopened -- could speed up your entry back into the U.S. after a trip abroad.
If you're traveling soon, here's what to know about using TSA PreCheck and Global Entry during the government shutdown.
TSA PreCheck is open nationwide. However, staffing shortages have led some airports to temporarily close dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes.
TSA PreCheck availability can depend on both the airport you're flying out of and the terminal you use to go through security. TSA PreCheck is currently closed (as of March 26) at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, for example. The Philadelphia International Airport on March 18 temporarily closed some security checkpoints, including the PreCheck-only Terminal C checkpoint, but still has PreCheck lanes open at other terminals.
Check the MyTSA mobile app to view estimated wait times at U.S. airports, and arrive early. Whether you have TSA PreCheck or not, it's smart to build in extra time for long security lines and regularly check travel alerts for your upcoming travel.
While still operating TSA PreCheck lanes, the DHS initially suspended Global Entry processing at participating airports starting in late February as part of its effort to "conserve resources." But Global Entry lanes reopened as of March 11.
International travelers may still face delays when returning to the U.S. with long lines at customs, but travelers with Global Entry may start to see faster processing times upon re-entry.
Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, said in a statement that the organization welcomes the decision to reopen Global Entry: "Trusted Traveler Programs enhance security while keeping travel moving."
Both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry continued to operate during past government shutdowns, including the record-long shutdown last year.
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry can both minimize the time you spend at the airport, but they serve two very different functions. The best choice for you depends on how you typically travel.
TSA PreCheck helps you move through security more quickly at participating airports throughout the country. Airports have dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes, which are often significantly shorter than general security lines, and the screening process doesn't require you to remove your shoes or belts.
PreCheck is available at more than 200 airports in the U.S. and with over 90 participating airlines. You can use it when you're at the airport for domestic flights or when you leave a U.S. airport for an international destination. The program typically costs up to $85 for five years of access.
Global Entry, on the other hand, is most useful for frequent international travelers. Global Entry grants you expedited entry back into the U.S. from other countries. You'll have shorter wait times through customs and won't have to go through processing lines or fill out paperwork. Global Entry is available at major U.S. airports and has a non-refundable $120 fee for five years of access.
Compared to PreCheck, Global Entry can take longer to enroll in, since you'll need to do an in-person interview at an enrollment center. But once you enroll in Global Entry, you'll also have access to TSA PreCheck.
During a government shutdown, you should always be prepared for delays and longer lines at the airport. But using TSA PreCheck is a great way to expedite the security process and get to your destination more quickly.
If you're traveling soon, consider TSA PreCheck to help avoid some of the disruptions you might face. You can even offset the cost using a travel credit card with fee credits for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
Here are a few of our top picks for cards with TSA PreCheck benefits:
- Get a statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees charged to your card.
- Get up to $120 in statement credits when you use your Venture card for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
- United flyers with this airline card can get a statement credit worth up to $120 every four years for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees.