Thousands of travelers faced long wait times and staffing shortages at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) on Thursday morning, as the partial government shutdown continues to affect Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents. The security lines stretched out of the concourse and into the parking lot, with some passengers waiting over an hour to pass through checkpoints.
TSA PreCheck and Clear services were unavailable due to staffing issues, causing delays for even those who normally use these expedited lanes. To alleviate congestion, airport officials brought in bottled water for passengers waiting in line.
Airport officials claim that three out of four security checkpoints remained open at times, but the TSA is ultimately responsible for securing the airport. Travelers are advised to arrive at least three hours before their flights to account for potential delays.
The shutdown has also led to reports of 28% of TSA officers not showing up to work on Tuesday, leaving many employees without a paycheck. The situation highlights the difficulties faced by TSA workers and the ripple effects it has on airport operations.
Source: https://wtop.com/travel/2026/03/security-lines-stretch-outside-terminal-at-bwi-marshall-as-shutdown-drags-on