TSA Balks at Long Line Whining - It's Your Fault!

by Kim D.

My brother learned a hard lesson a couple of weeks ago. Be at the airport at least two hours before your flight is scheduled to leave.  He arrived an hour and a half early for his flight from Myrtle Beach, SC returning home to Dallas, TX.  The security lines were outrageous and, needless to say, his family missed their flight. Standby customers were given at least 20 paid seats because ticket holders couldn't get to the gate in time.

My brother blamed the incompetency of the TSA; however, the government agency would point the finger right back at him and say "Stop whining - the long lines are your fault." meaning the TSA simply doesn't have enough taxpayer dollars to run effectively. It's explanation for long lines goes something like this:

More people are flying than ever before, yet the TSA's frontline staffing budget has declined every year since fiscal year 2013.

For fiscal year 2016, the TSA's authorized staffing level is 42,525 and passenger volume is projected to be 740 million, according to the TSA.

There's been a 15 percent increase in passenger volume and a 10 percent drop in staffing since fiscal year 2013. Back then, the TSA's authorized staffing level was 47,147 and checkpoint volume was 643 million passengers.

The agency's budget represents what the agency can afford, based on the congressionally-approved appropriations, according to the TSA.

"Congress has starved TSA of the resources it needs to meet growing demands at our nation's airports," said American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. 

The TSA also suggests passengers sign up for TSA pre-check and pay an $85 fee per person. If you have some extra bucks laying around, Global Entry is a better value - it includes the pre-check and is good for five years. This option is $100.

According to USA Today, it's best to fly on Tuesdays or Wednesdays when airports are less crowded or pay even more for expedited service:

Buy priority access to TSA lines such as JetBlue's "even more speed," which gives you expedited lines through TSA.  United has a similar program called Premier Access, which starts at $15. Delta calls it “Sky Priority” and it’s available at select airports.

If you really want to make your plane on time and you fly Delta, their VIP Select Service is offered at LAX, JFK, San Francisco, LaGuardia and Atlanta. For $250, on top of any Delta fare, you get escorted to the front of the TSA line and even get a transfer between flights via a private car service on the tarmac, plus other VIP perks such as Skyclub lounge access (book via Delta's VIP phone line at 855-235-9847). American has a similar program but it’s only available to business- and first-class passengers. 

In other words - jump through hoops - pay more money because, once again, the government you pay for can't do the job.