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How long are TSA wait times in Florida Friday? See list by airport

How long are TSA wait times in Florida Friday? See list by airport

The headaches continue for passengers heading to airports across Florida and the United States.

Thousands of employees with the Transportation Security Administration are working without pay, for the third time in six months, prompting a Tallahassee, Florida, company to organize a donation drive for local TSA employees and their families.

An agreement to end the partial government shutdown impacting TSA, as well as the Coast Guard, remains elusive during partisan politics in Washington, D.C., prompting airline CEOs to demand Congress “come together to reach an agreement.”

Adam Stahl, TSA acting deputy administrator, told Fox News on March 17 the agency may have to “collapse lanes” at select airports and more drastic measures may be ahead.

“If this continues, it’s no hyperbole to suggest that we may have to quite literally shut down airports, particularly smaller ones,” Stahl said.

Here’s what you should know Friday, March 20.

Will some airports close because of partial government shutdown?

That is possible, Stahl told Fox News.

“If this continues, it’s no hyperbole to suggest that we may have to quite literally shut down airports, particularly smaller ones,” Stahl said.

“It’s going to get worse and there will be significant pain by the passengers, 3- to 4-hour wait times at select airports. TSA is fully stretched and there’s not much else we can do.”

“Some TSA officers can’t afford gas to drive to work because they aren’t getting paid,” TSA posted on X, noting this was the third time in nearly six months TSA workers have gone without pay.

“The financial hardship this Democrat-led chaos created has already forced more than 300 of these heroic officers to LEAVE the force.

“Many TSA officers cannot pay their rent, buy food, or afford to put gas in their cars.”

Get ready to wait to get through airport security

Congress failed to pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Transportation Security Administration, in mid‑February.

On March 13, TSA officers missed their first full paycheck after receiving partial paychecks on Feb. 28.

“Because of the Democrats’ DHS shutdown, TSA officers nationwide are working without pay,” Homeland Security posted on X.

“Some officers can’t even afford gas to get to work. It’s time for Democrats to END the DHS shutdown and stop holding the paychecks of more than 100,000 DHS employees hostage.”

‘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.”

The letter included the following recommendations:

  • Leaders should immediately come together to reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

  • Then they need to act so this problem never happens again.

  • Congress should pass the Aviation Funding Solvency Act and the Aviation Funding Stability Act, which would guarantee air traffic controllers are paid regardless of the government’s funding status.

“With spring break travel in full swing, FIFA World Cup 2026 right around the corner and celebrations for America’s 250th birthday throughout the year, the stakes are especially high. U.S. airlines expect 171 million passengers this spring season, a new record.

“But too many travelers are having to wait in extraordinarily long — and painfully slow — lines at checkpoints. Wait times of 2, 3 and even 4 hours have been reported. Airlines are doing everything we can to mitigate disruption by holding flights for late passengers and rebooking others.”

What is TSA wait time at Daytona International Airport, DAB?

Security wait times at Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) currently average 14 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 18 minutes, and immigration processing averages 9 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 7 minutes.

What is TSA wait time at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, VPS?

Security wait times at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) currently average 5 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 26 minutes, and immigration processing averages 9 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 3 minutes.

What is TSA wait time at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, FLL?

Security wait times at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL) currently average 21 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 45 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 11 minutes.

What is TSA wait time at Gainesville Regional Airport, GNV?

Passengers moving through the security checkpoints at Gainesville Regional Airport should anticipate waiting between 1-4 minutes, according to ifly.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

What is TSA wait time at Jacksonville International Airport, JAX?

Security wait times at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) currently average 9 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 35 minutes, and immigration processing averages 12 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 5 minutes.

What is TSA wait time at Key West International Airport, EYW?

Security wait times at Key West International Airport (EYW) currently average 5 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 22 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 3 minutes.

What is TSA wait time at Melbourne Orlando International Airport, MLB?

Security wait times at Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) currently average 9 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 21 minutes, and immigration processing averages 8 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 5 minutes.

What is TSA wait time at Miami International Airport, MIA?

Security wait times at Miami International Airport (MIA) currently average 4 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 44 minutes, and immigration processing averages 67 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 2 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) currently average 4 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 18 minutes, and immigration processing averages 7 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 2 minutes.

What is TSA wait time at Orlando International Airport, MCO?

Security wait times at Orlando International Airport (MCO) currently average 6 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 45 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 3 minutes.

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) currently average 80 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 43 minutes, and immigration processing averages 9 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 40 minutes.

What is TSA wait time at Palm Beach International Airport, PBI?

Security wait times at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) currently average 9 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 29 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 5 minutes.

What is TSA wait time at Pensacola International Airport, PNS?

Security wait times at Pensacola International Airport (PNS) currently average 8 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 16 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 4 minutes.

What is TSA wait time at Punta Gorda Airport, PGD?

Security wait times at Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) currently average 13 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 35 minutes, and immigration processing averages 13 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 7 minutes.

What is TSA wait time at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, SRQ?

Security wait times at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) currently average 5 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 31 minutes, and immigration processing averages 12 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 3 minutes.

What is TSA wait time at Southwest Florida International Airport, RSW?

Security wait times at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) currently averages 1 minute, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 45 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 1 minute.

What is TSA wait time at St. Augustine Airport, SGJ?

Passengers moving through the security checkpoints at St. Augustine Airport should anticipate waiting on average of less than one minute, according to TSAWaitTimes.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

What is TSA wait time at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, PIE?

Security wait times at St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport (PIE) currently average 10 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 32 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 5 minutes.

What is TSA wait time at Tallahassee International Airport, TLH?

Security wait times at Tallahassee Regional Airport (TLH) currently average 2 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 11 minutes, and immigration processing averages 7 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 1 minute.

What is TSA wait time at Tampa International Airport, TPA?

Security wait times at Tampa International Airport (TPA) currently average 11 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 45 minutes, and immigration processing averages 11 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 6 minutes.

What is TSA wait time at Vero Beach Regional Airport, VRB?

Security wait times at Vero Beach Regional Airport (VRB) currently average 12 minutes, according to flightqueue.com at 8 a.m. March 20.

Check-in typically takes 13 minutes, and immigration processing averages 10 minutes.

TSA PreCheck lanes average approximately 6 minutes.

What are the current wait times at Florida airports? See the list

As of 8 a.m. Friday, March 20, 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 8:30 a.m. Friday, March 20.

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.

  • Airport websites: Some airports post checkpoint wait updates so you can see how the day is going.

  • Airport social media: Follow your airport’s social media page. Often, when there are significant delays, the airport will post about it.

  • The MyTSA mobile app: The TSA’s free app provides estimated wait times for many U.S. airports based on TSA data and traveler reports, along with other TSA information. However, banners on both the TSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection websites warn that, “Due to the lapse in federal funding, this website will not be actively managed.”

  • Third-party sites: Several unofficial websites, such as airportinsightfind.com, fly.com, flightqueue.com or tsawaittimes.com, provide estimated wait times based on airport reports and traveler submissions.

Tallahassee company helping TSA agents

For the third time this year, TSA agents are working without pay, a situation that prompted a Tallahassee landscaping company to sponsor a “community lift” to support local TSA workers.

➤ Tallahassee company steps up to help unpaid TSA agents

“We have 48 TSA agents right here in our Tallahassee community,” the company said in a news release. “They haven’t walked away. They haven’t quit. They’ve stayed supporting each other and continuing to show up for all of us.”

The company is asking for donations of gift cards and non-perishable food, among other things, for workers and their families.

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: TSA wait times at Florida airports. See full list by airport

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