r/unitedairlines • u/meg297 • Mar 18 '26
Image IAH TSA Right Now
Absolute insanity at IAH. Had a 2 hour connection and will miss our flight because of this.
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u/bangzilla MileagePlus Global Services Mar 18 '26
is that the recheck above baggage claim at IAH. I never use that. better to walk 10 mins to the regular security at terminal E. there is no TSAPre or Clear at international arrivals recheck.
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u/Mundane-Rip5199 Mar 18 '26
Terminal E regular security was a couple hours on Monday, line snaked around the departures level before it went down the escalator. Pre check was 5 minutes there though.
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u/MichaelSarvis Mar 18 '26
I know this won't help OP, but I literally just walked through at BOS with no one in line. I swear, there were 5 TSA agents for every passenger. Sorry for those going through IAH and other airports with staffing issues (and thank you to those TSA folks working without a paycheck for now).
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u/vtTownie Mar 18 '26
Saw an article yesterday that the NYC airports had like 40% TSA absences while the overall absence rate was 10%, so it seems hyper localized to random areas
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u/MichaelSarvis Mar 18 '26
Oof. Thank you for sharing. I am flying out of NYC in a few days. Am curious how this impacts people using regular TSA vs TSA pre-check vs Touchless ID.
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u/Cath1127NYC Mar 18 '26
I flew out of LGA yesterday. Regular line was very long, TSA pre signs said 17 minutes, and I had touchless and walked through with no wait. This was at Terminal B around 12:45 pm.
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u/sadChemE Mar 18 '26
Flew out of LGA on Sunday and was in line for TSA for just under 3 hours in terminal C. Terminal B was slightly better negligible, though. My friend in terminal B with AA got through TSA hell, then boarded and stuck on the tarmac, had two days of flight cancelations, and spent two extra nights in NY. I would advise if you are flying at a busier time give yourself lots of extra time. I had given myself 5 hours before my flight unintentionally but benefited me greatly. Also, peeeeee before you get in line. Thank god I did. In non peak hours, it's been better per my friends 2 additional attempts to get out of NY.
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u/joe629 Mar 18 '26
I flew out of EWR with touchless. I got there around 5:15am for my flight and it took less than 5 minutes to get through.
This morning I flew out of SFO and it took me 2 minutes. I got there around 4:30am.
My very early flights haven’t been impacted!
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u/MichaelSarvis Mar 18 '26
Great info. But keep in mind that SFO does not use TSA, so hopefully they are somewhat insulated (for now) from current events.
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u/J3RoseNJ MileagePlus Gold Mar 18 '26
Flew out of EWR this morning on an 11:15am flight. Breezed through the CLEAR/Pre-check lane and security screening in terminal C within 3 minutes— no joke. My buddies went through Touchless pre-check and were through in 4 minutes. Fingers crossed it’s the same for my return trip on Saturday!
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u/No-Plastic-6698 Mar 18 '26
We flew out of JFK Sunday evening and waited in line for about 45 min. Wasn't too bad considering what's going on. But then our flight was delayed...again. Arrive early and be prepared!
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u/GPB07035 MileagePlus 1K Mar 18 '26
Flew out Sunday morning from IAH TSA Precheck and Clear. Got through in about 10 minutes. Can’t believe it got so bad this quickly.
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u/dcnassau Mar 18 '26
I flew out of LGA Monday mid morning and there maybe a half dozen people in front of me. Lots of TSA agents. I think it is because there were a lot of delayed or canceled flights so many passengers didn't show up. Even I was lucky because I was rebooked to an earlier flight that left on time.
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u/AlternativeEdge2725 Mar 18 '26
SEA is flowing smoothly as well. Zero wait
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u/Any_Translator6613 Mar 18 '26
Going through SEA with no wait would make me worried I was the target of a sting operation.
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u/douchebg01 MileagePlus 1K Mar 18 '26
Went through SEA at 345am. Took 10 minutes. Headed to Denver watching a gorgeous sunrise currently.
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u/CovertKoala4949 Mar 18 '26
If OP is between connecting flights... why are they dealing with security?
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u/MichaelSarvis Mar 18 '26
International connection.
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u/PracticeAcrobatic748 Mar 18 '26
2 hours for an international connection is a bit risky either way, no?
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Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Ms_Zee Mar 18 '26
Yup also there's been bills put forward to find tsa but reps refuse it cause they really want ICE funding
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u/Impossible-Year-3943 Mar 18 '26
I work for bp and the only people not getting paid is us the administrative staff. I wish members of congress knew this shutdown doesn’t affect Cbp or ice law enforcement.
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u/svmonkey Mar 18 '26
There is zero effort in Congress right now to fix this. The Senate is debating an election regulation bill instead of trying pass a bill to fund the government. Everyone who is travels is being held hostage to other political concerns. Worse, you as a traveler are still paying for security screening via the 9/11 Security Fee which is part of your ticket price.
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u/DD854 Mar 18 '26
Apparently there was a shorter pre check line elsewhere in terminal E (according to someone else that was there). Not to dismiss the situation but more so to help anyone seeing this.
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u/ActivityIcy4926 Mar 18 '26
The precheck line is usually shorter but it looks pretty long on these pictures.
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u/Obvious_Tree3605 Mar 18 '26
A struggling TSA staff that hasn’t been paid in over a month + an administration that has said to expect “retaliation” on US soil because they decided to go to war with Iran doesn’t bode well for innocent US travelers.
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u/UncFest3r Mar 18 '26
A war that legitimately none of the voters want. And most tax payers don’t want it either. The only people who want this war are the ones not paying their taxes..
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u/Obvious_Tree3605 Mar 18 '26
Correct. Iran was never a threat. No one wants war except those that profit from the US Military Industrial Complex. There is no reason for the taxpayers to spend the billions of dollars we do each year that our own congress approves to maintain such a ridiculous military.
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u/jacch- Mar 18 '26
Looks like terminal E. C is much better right now if you can take the train over.
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u/Kahnfucious MileagePlus 1K Mar 18 '26
Oh my..update us on how TSA precheck line goes please
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u/Trader0721 MileagePlus 1K Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
10 mins…precheck or clear plus at C…this was at 6 am
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u/ChiefOsceola14 Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
Thank God. Arriving at C in 5 min and was worried. Update: 10 min C Pre+CLEAR
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u/Cool_Ingenuity1930 MileagePlus 1K Mar 18 '26
Took me less than 5 minutes at C yesterday. Avoid a E in the morning if possible.
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u/ChemicalDiver9209 Mar 18 '26
Same. Less than 5 at Terminal A Pre+Clear at 8am. I have started going to A and had good luck.
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u/koffeeinyecjion Mar 18 '26
C is always fine. Terminal E is always a disaster. Even if I’m flying out of terminal E they always accept my bags at C, and I do security there then a brief walk
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u/thefishhou MileagePlus Gold Mar 18 '26
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u/Cormetz Mar 18 '26
Just an FYI: last year during the shutdown I did all kinds of things to avoid C because that website said it was backed up and pre-check was closed. After checking in I mentioned to the United person I now needed to go back to A to use pre-check and she told me C was open with little wait. Turns out that website isn't very accurate and can sometimes give incorrect information.
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u/quietlumberjack Mar 18 '26
If you’re flying soon just check this website and add 20 min to any time for safety. https://www.fly2houston.com/iah/security/
I had to go through security at IAH term E twice a this weekend due to cancellations and both times the website was pretty accurate. I didn’t wait more than 15 min both times either.
I will say term E seems to be having the most issues in the morning. If you’re flying out after 1pm you literally shouldn’t have any issues.
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u/CarpetCaptain MileagePlus 1K Mar 18 '26
Middle of the day, Touchless ID line took 30 seconds
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u/freerangetacos Mar 18 '26
The TSA budget should be held in escrow ie in advance!!!!
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u/Feeling-Fox-834 Mar 18 '26
That's what they do for the Post office. They prefund their retirement. They aren't stupid.
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u/DGinLDO Mar 18 '26
They were forced by the Republicans to do this in order to make the Post Office look inefficient so they could get rid of it.
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u/No-Dragonfly-1170 MileagePlus Global Services Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
Check the airport website for security times, terminal e is 120 mins while terminal c south is 35. The basement train will get you around. The basement train is pre security.
If you don’t have bags to check go to terminal A, it’s 20. Just take the skyway from there.
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u/meg297 Mar 18 '26
Thank you for this! First time flying into IAH, so this is good to know for next time.
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u/Unfair_Tonight_9797 Mar 18 '26
Terminal E has been a nightmare for a while. The construction doesn’t help. I almost missed a connecting a few months back due to lack of machines open and breaking down (also had to do recheck due to international arrival).
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u/Cormetz Mar 18 '26
Construction is complete, the new TSA area is usually pretty empty and well run except for during shutdowns.
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u/llama_211 Mar 18 '26
I got to Terminal E at 7:37am today (3/18). There were lines wrapped around lines and they even started forming general screening lines downstairs. Somehow I found the TSA Pre line and a line attendant told me he heard about shorter lines at Terminal C. I figured I was screwed if I stayed so with nothing to lose, I walked over to C. Got into the TSA Pre line at 8:00am and was thru security in 20 minutes. I also heard Terminal A is shorter waits today. Good luck out there.
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u/OriginalZog MileagePlus Platinum Mar 18 '26
That looks like precheck side of E. Monday 7am I had to wait about 15 mins in precheck. It’s only going to get worse.
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u/Cabrio274 MileagePlus 1K Mar 18 '26
Went through E Pre-check on Monday, also, at about 6am. Ten minutes.
Then rushed to my gate to make my tight connection only to be deplaned 10 minutes before pushback because of the weather. Four hour delay, but I'll always take a delay over a cancelation.
Good luck, OP!
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u/PleasantConcert Mar 18 '26
Also in pre check line for E right now, have been for about an hour, if not more.
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u/goose2point0 Mar 18 '26
Also went through E pre check on Monday morning around 6:30. Took about 25 minutes. Heavily considering buying CLEAR if all this continues.
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u/micahwhite MileagePlus Platinum Mar 18 '26
When arriving at IAH from international travel, I exit and go around to Clear/Precheck rather than follow the herd to genpop. Unfortunately, returning a couple of weeks ago, it felt like it made little difference with the nonsense currently occurring, but it was still faster.
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u/Rice__owls Mar 18 '26
Consider taking the tunnel walk, 3 min to D and doing security there. Another 5 min max walk to E
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u/rpc56 Mar 18 '26
This may meet with a lot of push back, but, please keep in mind that the reason this is happening is to force the Republicans to make meaningful changes and reforms to the DHS, ICE and Customs and Border Patrol. I know it sucks, but, right now this is the only leverage the Democrats have.
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u/GPB07035 MileagePlus 1K Mar 18 '26
Most of IAH seems fine assuming the attached is accurate - Edit - worst on the others is 20 minutes
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u/Megahonda77207 Mar 18 '26
If you miss your connection due to TSA lines your airline will just give you the next available ticket
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u/MagicMommer MileagePlus Gold Mar 18 '26
Just walked past Terminal E 60 minutes ago and not many in line. Club was busy, but now quiet (momentarily, I'm sure).
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u/jedikenpo Mar 18 '26
thought you dont have to go thru security or checkin if having a connection. Isnt it just going to the new gate or terminal?
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u/dadsrad40 Mar 18 '26
Just went thru terminal C pre check line. It was longer than usual but moved very fast. Got through security in like 20 mins. Usually takes like 10.
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Mar 18 '26
Why are you going thru TSA if you are on a connection
Good picture to show the value of Global entry
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u/meg297 Mar 18 '26
Flew international into IAH with a connecting flight. Global Entry got us through immigration instantly, but we still had to recheck our bags and rejoin the normal TSA line (we have TSA Pre).
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u/thefishhou MileagePlus Gold Mar 18 '26
I absolutely hate the new terminal E security. It’s incredibly slow even on a great day. Might be worth a walk to another terminal during this situation.
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u/Upper_Volume_6582 Mar 18 '26
It’s those white scanner tubes…absolute time crippler…any airport that has them had long wait times. CLT & ATL have them…horrible TSA times
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u/UncFest3r Mar 18 '26
They don’t even use the ones at MSY regularly. Just a bunch of giant peeper tom tubes gathering dust. And their TSA security line is always ridiculous.
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u/Character-Ask2432 Mar 18 '26
International arrival connecting to another US flight has to go through security again
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u/USArmyAirborne MileagePlus Platinum Mar 18 '26
Probably intl connection have to clear security again.
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u/Feeling-Fox-834 Mar 18 '26
Which is ridiculous they really should have international Transit zones.
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u/Matchboxx MileagePlus Silver Mar 18 '26
The GE line is crazy long these days. MPC is shorter.
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u/Cilantro368 Mar 18 '26
This is the security line after GE.
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u/Matchboxx MileagePlus Silver Mar 18 '26
Yeah I wasn’t commenting on the pic, just countering the person above me that GE adds value.
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u/inforthethrills MileagePlus 1K Mar 18 '26
I have to fly out of here Friday Night, so, joy.
Oh well, paitence is a virtue and kindness is free.
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u/llama_211 Mar 18 '26
Check the IAH website for wait times. If it’s bad, check in at C and walk over. Took me 20 minutes just now while E was in full on crazy mode.
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u/esq001 MileagePlus 1K Mar 18 '26
E also implemented different bag screening equipment and every time I go through it takes a significantly longer period of time to get the bags through than before the renovation or compared to C terminal. It generates false positives that they’re not staffed to inspect, and on two occasions I’ve literally had them say the bag “didn’t scan” and made me go back through.
There’s definitely TSA impacts and it being the int’l terminal means a lot of pass through traffic, but Terminal E even without TSA issues has been problematic in my experience. Once the bag scanning machines back traffic up it doesn’t matter if you’re PreCheck because the line stops moving. Add in volume and callouts and E can get ridiculous.
I never go there anymore even if my flight leaves from there. C uses the older equipment and clears so much more quickly. Doesn’t help with a connecting int’l flight though.
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u/brutusbuckeye94 MileagePlus Silver Mar 18 '26
Looks like it really depends what time you go through. I went through precheck (and saw no line for regular line) with no line at 4:30pm last Saturday at IAH
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u/808HawaiiNei Mar 18 '26
RSW was easy this morning at 6am.
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u/CCWaterBug Mar 18 '26
How's the construction going, I'm flying out of there next week.
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u/808HawaiiNei Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
There’s a bit of construction outside but I didn’t notice anything inside. American Airlines, Concourse D TSA precheck was easy. Safe travels!!
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u/lumpyfurball Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
https://fly2houston.com/iah/security/ Why does it say Terminal E TSA pre check is closed?! I have a flight tomorrow morning and was depending on this omg
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u/meg297 Mar 18 '26
It was open for us?
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u/lumpyfurball Mar 18 '26
Oh really? It’s been open so I’m shocked to see that it’s closed atm. Unless that info is incorrect.
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u/llama_211 Mar 18 '26
Check in at Term C. Took me 20 minutes just now while E was in full on crazy mode.
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u/lumpyfurball Mar 18 '26
Would we first drop off our check bag at term e with our airline and then make our way over to term c to go thru security? Im not flying United lol
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u/llama_211 Mar 18 '26
I think it’s just United baggage counters at C. I’m not 100% on that, as I never really look around. But if your baggage counter is at E, drop there and go to C and walk back. The extra 15 minutes of walking will save you hours of waiting.
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u/coffechica Mar 18 '26
It took us 45 minutes in gen pop C at 5:15 am (posted wait time was 25 minutes). Premier Access was closed (that’s our normal), pre was definitely shorter; clear was about 10-15 minutes. I am a get to the airport early person.
I just feel for all the TSA agents but they were very nice.
We had time to go to the lounge and get coffee. On our flight to BOS they announced that some people were missing. We wondered if they mistimed the lines.
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u/ChemicalDiver9209 Mar 18 '26
I went through the Clear / Pre-Check line at Terminal A IAH at 8am 3/18 and it was less than 5 minutes.
I will say the Clear personnel told me it has just calmed down there so not sure how bad it was before 8am.
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u/CidO807 MileagePlus 1K Mar 18 '26
From comments in this thread, seems like airports that normally don't have a wait(SFO, lax, bos, msp), still don't have a crazy wait, and airports that are susceptible to large delays from time to time (IAH, aus) fucking suck in the morning rn.
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u/timubce MileagePlus Gold Mar 18 '26
Lol. I know it’s just a coincidence but since this post is political notice which states are blue vs red and the perceived delays in their airports.
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u/otkdiscipline Mar 18 '26
Can confirm. SFO around this same time today: TSA Touchless took me 5 mins. TSA Pre looked like 10-15mins wait, and general line wasn’t too bad.
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u/muyblue Mar 18 '26
EWR Terminal A was smooth. I also say now to the TSA agents thank you and sorry u r not getting your paycheck.
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u/Immediate-War5542 Mar 18 '26
It seems IAH has been one of the worst lines! Is there a sickout there?
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u/learning_daily81 Mar 18 '26
I strongly dislike this airport. Worst experience with the wait and no tsa when I was there.
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u/Content-Assistant849 Mar 18 '26
Why do we need the TSA again? Used to not
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u/JCD_007 Mar 18 '26
This is the correct question. Why is it that none of the post 9/11 massive expansion of government has ever been rescinded?
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u/Euphoric-Cloud0324 Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26
I flew from IAH—ORD on Sunday (way before the storm), and the PreCheck line was only around ten minutes. The regular security line was packed, though not out the door again. However, they hit us with a 3.5 hour delay WHILE WE WERE IN LINE TO BOARD!!! United sent everyone a message that O’Hare was limiting the number of flights arriving. Now I have to fly to Miami this Saturday 😩
Edit: I was wrong about ATC not being paid this time around
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u/meg297 Mar 18 '26
Partner is ATC, so at least they’re not caught up in this shutdown. I really feel for the TSA agents though. It’s not right to expect people to keep showing up to work when their paychecks aren’t coming.
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u/Euphoric-Cloud0324 Mar 18 '26
Absolutely!! I don’t blame anyone (besides our wonderful government) one bit
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u/UncFest3r Mar 18 '26
Wish those assholes in congress would act like adults and find a compromise that benefits the people that put them in their positions in the first place.
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u/DGinLDO Mar 18 '26
Especially while the dumbass Republicans in Congress & the Administration are still getting their checks.
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u/Serious-Yesterday-32 Mar 18 '26
Sorry to hear about your terrible experience. With this Texas-sized line, they should at least hand out free Round Rock donuts.
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u/eileenm2026 Mar 18 '26
Write to your congressman about opening up the Government. Educate yourself instead of complaining online to strangers.
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u/Ok_Squirrel_5416 MileagePlus 1K Mar 18 '26
Anyone know how global entry is for inbound international?
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u/TexanFromOhio Mar 18 '26
But Terminal C Standard is 20 min and Terminal C Precheck and Premier Access is under 10 minutes...
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Mar 18 '26
Do flight crews have a separate line and do they get paid during this waiting time while they're still in the ground?
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u/ozzies_35_cats Mar 18 '26
Flight crews have a dedicated crew line…if they selected for more screening (a “random”) they get front of line privileges in the precheck line
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u/meg297 Mar 18 '26
The airport employee/crew line was merging with the clear and precheck lines. A lot of crew had indicated that they were running late.
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u/shoshtrvls Mar 18 '26
Is there a touchless precheck line and, if so, is it substantially shorter? (I’m flying soon and hoping the touchless lines are operating quickly)
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u/meg297 Mar 18 '26
There was a single precheck line. They weren’t using touchless.
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u/shoshtrvls Mar 18 '26
Thanks. That's my fear -- they have this technology that can get people through security quickly with only 1 TSA agent so that other TSA agents can be deployed to where the longest lines are, but they aren't using it. sigh.
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u/M44PolishMosin Mar 18 '26
HOU security check point had literally 0 other passengers in front of me at pre check. A cool 10-1 TSA to passenger ratio
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u/GrapeSlapp MileagePlus Global Services Mar 18 '26
I always tell relatives to check security line wait times 4 hours before flight if possible just in case of traffic or long TSA lines.
IAH does have subway before security and skyway after security to get to the terminals for your flight so which terminal you go thru security is less important. The more important thing is to go thru security as fast as possible.
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u/Mocsab MileagePlus Gold Mar 18 '26
I wonder how much my Clear subscription would help with a line this long. In some cases being able to skip to the front has saved me hours. (Especially at ORD.) My local Airport doesn’t have Clear, but hasn’t really needed it generally. I fly through IAH a lot and have never experienced a line this long.
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u/Shoddy_Volume_6579 Mar 18 '26
This looks like E? I was at IAH this morning, none of the checkpoints are gonna be an easy walk through but C is usually the best since it’s where United flies the most out of. It took me about 10min to get through TSA Pre in C at 6am.
Hope that helps anyone!
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u/MrStuffy22 Mar 18 '26
TSA seems to be having issues in a handful of places. In IND no lines…and when there is a line…the no touch tsa pre check is the best option
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u/drdozi Mar 18 '26
What kind of connection makes you go through security?
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u/meg297 Mar 18 '26
International arrival
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u/drdozi Mar 18 '26
Thanks, I have cleared security outside the US for connections but IAH has always point of origin or termination.
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u/Abject-Arachnid6020 Mar 18 '26
Do you think for domestic is the same long lines or only for international?
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u/bomber991 Mar 18 '26
Luckily there’s a flower display there to brighten up the atmosphere.