Are things getting back to normal at Florida and U.S. airports?
Employees with the Transportation Security Administration starting getting paid Monday, March 30, after President Trump ordered federal funds to be rerouted. It’s the first time they’ve gotten a paycheck in weeks.
Airport security wait times are improving as we come closer to Easter weekend, but the wait time Wednesday morning at one Florida airport was still among the longest in the United States.
Meanwhile, the partial government shutdown continues, with no end in sight as lawmakers head out on two-week break. One lawmaker, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, was spotted at Disney World over the weekend.
➤ White House urges Congress to return to DC to end shutdown
TSA has lost almost 500 workers since the partial government shutdown began, affecting not only TSA but also the Coast Guard and FEMA.
Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement continue to help TSA workers in airports, including one in Florida, RSW in Fort Myers.
Here’s what you should know Wednesday, April 1.
Trump orders TSA workers be paid after air travel hits ‘breaking point’
“This is an unprecedented emergency situation. Currently, more than 60,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees … are not being paid.
“Since the shutdown began, nearly 500 transportation security officers have left their positions, and thousands more have begun to call out sick at record rates due to lack of pay.
In a March 27 memorandum to the secretary of Homeland Security and the director of the Office of Management and Budget, Trump said air travel has “reached its breaking point.”
“As a result, security wait times at some airports have reached untenable lengths of three or more hours. These increased wait times, combined with declining morale among TSA staff, unacceptably heighten the risk of security vulnerabilities within our domestic travel system and has negatively impacted countless Americans.”
Trump directed federal funds “that have a reasonable and logical nexus to TSA operations” be used to pay TSA employees.
TSA employees were scheduled to receive paychecks Monday, March 30.
ICE agents patrol RSW in Fort Myers, Florida
On March 23, agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrived at some U.S. airports to help with long waits during the partial government shutdown.
➤ ICE agents assigned to Florida airport. What are they doing?
DHS Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Lauren Bis told USA TODAY the agency would not confirm the locations of officers, citing “operational security reasons.”
ICE agents were seen Monday, patrolling in groups of three to five, walking in and out of concourses at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers.
Private contractors used for security screening at 3 Florida airports
Three Florida airports are among 20 across the U.S. that participate in TSA’s Screening Partnership Program.
➤ Two SW Florida airports have avoided long TSA wait times. Here’s why
“The Screening Partnership Program contracts security screening services at commercial airports to qualified private companies,” TSA said.
“These companies run screening operations under federal oversight and must comply with all TSA security screening procedures.”
Florida airports using private contractors for airport screening are:
‘Stakes are especially high.’ Airline CEOs urge Congress to end shutdown
In a letter to Congress, airline CEOs are demanding Congress “immediately come together to reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
“Americans — who live in your districts and home states — are tired of long lines at airports, travel delays and flight cancellations caused by shutdown after shutdown. Yet, once again air travel is the political football amid another government shutdown.”
What US airports have longest wait times? How do Florida airports compare?
What is TSA wait time at Daytona International Airport, DAB?
Security wait times at Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) currently are under 15 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
What is TSA wait time at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, VPS?
Security wait times at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) currently are under 15 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
What is TSA wait time at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, FLL?
Security wait times at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL) currently average 15-30 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
What is TSA wait time at Gainesville Regional Airport, GNV?
Passengers moving through the security checkpoints at Gainesville Regional Airport average wait time is 7 minutes, according to ifly.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
What is TSA wait time at Jacksonville International Airport, JAX?
Security wait times at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) currently are under 15 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
What is TSA wait time at Key West International Airport, EYW?
Security wait times at Key West International Airport (EYW) currently are under 15 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
What is TSA wait time at Melbourne Orlando International Airport, MLB?
Security wait times at Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) currently are under 15 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
What is TSA wait time at Miami International Airport, MIA?
Security wait times at Miami International Airport (MIA) currently are under 15 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
Immigration wait times are over 45 minutes.
You can also check the airport’s website at miami-airport.com/tsa-waittimes.asp.
What is TSA wait time at Northwest Florida Beaches International, ECP?
Security wait times at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) are under 15 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
What is TSA wait time at Orlando International Airport, MCO?
Security wait times at Orlando International Airport (MCO) are averaging 15-30 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
You can also check the airport’s website at flymco.com/security/.
What is TSA wait time at Orlando Sanford International Airport, SFB?
Security wait times at Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) are under 15 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
What is TSA wait time at Palm Beach International Airport, PBI?
Security wait times at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) are under 15 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1..
➤ Florida airport getting named after Trump. What to know about future DJT
What is TSA wait time at Pensacola International Airport, PNS?
Security wait times at Pensacola International Airport (PNS) are under 15 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
What is TSA wait time at Punta Gorda Airport, PGD?
Security wait times at Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) currently are under 15 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
What is TSA wait time at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, SRQ?
Security wait times at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) are under 15 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
What is TSA wait time at Southwest Florida International Airport, RSW?
Security wait times at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) are 15-30 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
What is TSA wait time at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, PIE?
Security wait times at St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport (PIE) currently 15-30 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
What is TSA wait time at Tallahassee International Airport, TLH?
Security wait times at Tallahassee Regional Airport (TLH) currently are under 15 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
What is TSA wait time at Tampa International Airport, TPA?
Security wait times at Tampa International Airport (TPA) currently are under 15 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
What is TSA wait time at Vero Beach Regional Airport, VRB?
Security wait times at Vero Beach Regional Airport (VRB) currently are under 15 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. April 1.
What are the current wait times at Florida airports? See the list
As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, here are the estimated security wait times for Florida airports according to the airports and TSA. Note TSA estimates may not be current due to the shutdown when the MyTSA app is not updated:
Wait times will be shorter for travelers with TSA PreCheck, or for families or military members using dedicated lines, where available.
What are the TSA wait times at MCO, RSW, TPA? See major Florida airports
See the current wait times for TSA at Florida’s major airports, as of Tuesday, March 31.
How to check TSA wait times
Need to know when to be at the airport? There are a few ways to monitor TSA lines in real time.
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://palmbeachpost.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: How long are TSA wait times at Florida airports Wednesday before Easter?
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
