The ongoing partial government shutdown and a busy spring break travel season have led to staffing shortages and hours-long security lines at several airports across the country this week.
However, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is so far “not experiencing anything out of the ordinary,” airport public affairs director Harold Mester told the Journal Sentinel on March 10.
Milwaukee travelers connecting to other major airports could still face longer wait times and travel disruptions. About 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers are continuing to work without regular pay during the shutdown, which has already entered its fourth week, Reuters reported. The beginning of spring break season arrived just after officers missed their first full paycheck since the shutdown began, raising the likelihood of airport staffing issues.
Here’s what to know if you’re traveling in the coming weeks.
What is a partial government shutdown?
A partial government shutdown is more limited than a full shutdown.
In a full government shutdown, all non-essential federal agencies and services must stop working, affecting thousands of federal workers nationwide. A partial shutdown only affects certain federal agencies.
The current partial shutdown began Feb. 13, when lawmakers in Congress failed to reach a deal on immigration enforcement reforms. As a result, funding has lapsed for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Transportation Security Administration, along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and several other agencies.
Which airports have reported long lines during the partial shutdown?
MKE remains unaffected so far, but other airports around the country have reported long security lines this week as spring break travel ramps up.
That includes airports in Atlanta, Houston, New Orleans and Charlotte, North Carolina, according to USA TODAY. At Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport, wait times were averaging more than three hours over the weekend.
You can find information on wait times and delays at airports through the myTSA app.
Are TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR still working?
As of March 11, TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR were all operational.
In late February, DHS said it would temporarily suspend TSA PreCheck amid the shutdown but quickly reversed the decision. However, officials have said TSA PreCheck lanes at some airports could be closed on a case-by-case basis if staffing shortages continue.
Global Entry lines reopened March 11. The expedited border entry program had been suspended for a little over two weeks during the shutdown.
How to check for flight updates at Milwaukee airport
The Milwaukee airport recommends checking directly with your airline for the most up-to-date flight information, either by calling the airline or checking its website or app.
You can also check flight updates on the MKE website.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Are Milwaukee travelers facing long airport lines during partial shutdown?
Reporting by Maia Pandey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
