What’s going on: Whatever you do, don’t mess with Americans’ ability to avoid the minor inconvenience of standing in a long line. On Saturday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it would suspend TSA PreCheck and Global Entry — then reversed course a day later. The whiplash stemmed from lapsed funding tied to the US’s second government shutdown in four months, though this one only affects DHS. Officials said the about-face came after talks between Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the White House, and TSA officials. But the flip-flop likely had to do with the swift backlash to the decision. Still, there are caveats: TSA warned it will adjust its processes depending on “staffing constraints” at individual airports. Global Entry remains suspended and FEMA travel is limited.
What it means: Don’t plane-clap yet, the 30 million travelers who use expedited screening programs aren’t out of the woods. Travel industry trade groups complained that even a brief pause on such short notice could be disruptive, leading to longer lines and a bigger burden on TSA. The agency is already rife with staffing shortages, and many work without pay (a good reminder to be kind no matter how long the line). Any potential relief rests with Congress, which is expected to resume negotiations on funding this week. In the meantime, check with your airline, follow your plane on FlightAware, or follow TSA on social (though officials warned updates may be limited due to said shutdown) to stay updated on travel delays. Long term? The final destination is a funding deal.
