Why Are Security Lines So Long?

TRAVELERS

TSA says …

They carry on too many bags, which causes delays, and sometimes ignore small steps (like having their IDs and boarding passes ready) that would expedite the security process. And TSA had expected more people to pay the $85 for five years of PreCheck, which would allow them to skip the long lines.

TSA

Travelers say …

Its screeners aren’t fast enough, and signing up for PreCheck is another extra cost.

Congress says …

It’s not using its employees (or K9 units) and budget efficiently enough.

Airlines say …

Pretty much the same thing.

TSA says …

It has plans to hire 768 new officers and to research technology that would help lower wait times (or help people plan ahead).

CONGRESS

TSA says …

Its $7.4 billion budget–which already covers pay for 42,000 officers, as well as security tech at all domestic airports–isn’t enough to make meaningful changes.

Airlines say …

Congress should give TSA more money.

Congress says …

It approved a $34 million budget shift so TSA can fund new hires and pay current workers overtime.

AIRLINES

TSA says …

They charge too much for checked bags, which causes carry-on security delays. And they’re flying more people (740 million estimated this year, up 15% from 2013), which TSA blames the most for waits.

Airlines say …

Baggage fees are here to stay (for now). But some are hiring extra staff to help with nonscreening security tasks, like pushing X-ray bins.