Federal officials announced the temporary suspension of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry early Sunday morning at 6 a.m. ET. Yet, many U.S. airports continued operating these lanes beyond the deadline.
The Department of Homeland Security informed the public on Saturday evening that expedited airport security and immigration lanes would be shut down due to a lack of funding from the partial government shutdown.
The Transportation Security Administration, an agency within DHS that manages PreCheck, stated it would assess the situation on a “case-by-case basis.”
“Currently, TSA PreCheck remains active with no changes for travelers,” a TSA spokesperson said Saturday morning. “As staffing issues emerge, TSA will make operational adjustments as needed.”
Los Angeles International Airport tweeted on Saturday that it would direct all TSA PreCheck passengers to general screening lanes, but later deleted the post. Meanwhile, San Francisco International Airport confirmed via social media that TSA PreCheck and Global Entry were “still operational.”
Travel disruptions at airports often prompt swift action to end government shutdowns. TSA and customs agents are deemed essential personnel and are working without pay during the shutdown, much like they did for 43 days during the full shutdown last October.
Last year, the shutdown concluded after air traffic controllers began to report absences following several paychecks of $0, while the 2019 shutdown ended swiftly after coordinated callouts disrupted travel in New York.
Social media updates revealed that PreCheck lanes continued operating in major airports like Minneapolis, Washington, DC, and Orlando, hours after the 6 a.m. deadline had passed.
This uncertainty is even more frustrating during a holiday travel weekend, which already has many flights canceled as severe weather looms in parts of the Northeast. Airlines such as JetBlue and Delta have proactively announced flight cancellations in the region and are providing travel waivers for affected passengers.
TSA PreCheck enables approved travelers to leave shoes and jackets on and allows laptops and liquids to remain in bags, while Global Entry expedites passport control upon return to the U.S. from international destinations.
These programs are essential for frequent flyers and business travelers, designed to streamline the process through advanced facial recognition technology and automation. If these lanes were to close, wait times at airports could rise significantly.
The cost for TSA PreCheck is $76.75 for a five-year pass, with renewals starting around $58. Global Entry, which includes PreCheck, costs $120. DHS stated that passengers with valid memberships will still have access to regular security or immigration lines.
CLEAR, another privately operated expedited checkpoint, appears to be functioning normally.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem indicated the agency is “facing challenging yet essential workforce and resource decisions” and prioritizing the “general traveling public” in airports.
“Without funding, TSA can’t afford to stretch its staff too thin and compromise security standards,” she emphasized.
The agency indicated that the lanes would resume operations once funding is secured, according to DHS.
