What to know if you're flying during government shutdown

• A partial government shutdown is causing TSA worker shortages, leading to long airport security lines.
• Travelers are advised to arrive at the airport much earlier than usual, especially during the busy spring break period.
• Airlines are not required to compensate passengers who miss flights due to long security waits.

There’s no such thing as arriving at the airport too early amid the partial government shutdown.

Airports around the country have seen TSA lines and wait times balloon due to Transportation Security Administration worker shortages, and spring break isn’t helping.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport expected more than 3.7 million spring break travelers to pass through it between Thursday, March 19 and Monday, March 23.

The world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, is also experiencing high volume and advising travelers to arrive at least four hours before scheduled flight departures.

Before leaving for the airport, here’s what you should know.

When to get to the airport

Typically, travelers are advised to arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights, but travelers should check their airport’s website for information about security lines and plan to leave extra time before their flight.

Best-case scenario, you get through security early. Pack a book, phone charger or snack to tide yourself over until your flight.

Worst-case scenario, you don’t give yourself enough time and miss your flight entirely.

How to check TSA wait times

TSA is not updating wait times on its MyTSA mobile app during the government shutdown, but some airports are updating wait times on their respective websites and social media.

Not all airports specify how early travelers should arrive, but airports like Newark Liberty International are advising passengers to "please allow extra travel time" due to longer security waits.

What you’re owed if you miss your flight

Usually, airlines don’t owe you anything if you miss a flight due to something within your control. However, some airlines may rebook you on the next available flight as a courtesy.

Of course, travelers can’t control how long security screening takes during the government shutdown, but they can control how early they arrive at the airport.

Airports could close

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in an interview on CNBC on March 19 that smaller airports could be forced to close if TSA staffing shortages persist, which he warned will become more likely in the next week as officers are set to miss another paycheck.

"This is going to look like child’s play what’s happening right now. You’re going to see small airports, I believe, shut down. You’re going to see extensive lines, and air travel is almost going to come to a grid-halt, stop," Duffy said, echoing a warning from Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl earlier in the week.

The Trump Administration has sent Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to some airports to help with the lines. However, Reuters reports for now, ICE personnel will not be stationed behind security checkpoints because they lack the specific clearance.

Why are TSA wait times so long?

TSA workers are not being paid during the partial government shutdown, due to funding lapses at the Department of Homeland Security.

In a statement shared with USA TODAY, DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said that's led "more than 400 TSA officers to quit and thousands to call out from work because they are not able to afford gas, childcare, food, or rent."

Callouts reached 11.5% on workforce-wide Saturday, March 21, according to Reuters. Individual airports have previously reported higher numbers, including more than 50% of TSA officers in Houston and more than 30% in Atlanta and New Orleans over the weekend of March 15.

Homeland Security has suggested longer-term impact, as well, from those who've quit. "This loss leaves critical gaps in staffing and significantly decreases TSA’s ability to meet passenger demand, as each new recruit requires 4-6 MONTHS of training," the department posted on X.

(This story was updated to add new information.)