If you have been searching “is TSA PreCheck shut down” in a panic, you are not alone. Millions of American travelers have been asking the same question since late February, when a chaotic 24-hour reversal by federal officials sent the travel world into a frenzy. The short answer: TSA PreCheck is still operational as of today, March 10, 2026. But the larger situation surrounding airport security in America right now is messy, evolving, and directly relevant to anyone with a flight on the books.
Here is a clear, complete breakdown of what happened, where things stand today, and what you should do before you get to the airport.
👉 Flying during Spring Break? Jump to the “What To Do Before You Fly” section below for the most important steps you can take right now.
How This All Started
The chaos traces back to February 14, 2026, when a partial government shutdown began after Congress failed to pass a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security. Unlike previous shutdowns, which left trusted traveler programs largely untouched, this one quickly became a direct threat to programs that tens of millions of Americans rely on every time they fly.
On the morning of February 22, DHS announced that both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry would be suspended immediately, citing the need to “preserve limited funds” and redirect personnel toward standard screening lanes. The announcement hit without warning. Airlines, airports, and travel industry groups had almost no time to prepare, and travelers who were already at airports or mid-trip had even less.
The Reversal Nobody Expected — And What It Left Behind
Within hours of the announcement, the TSA reversed course on PreCheck. The agency released a statement saying PreCheck lanes would remain open and that any future changes would be handled on a case-by-case basis at individual airports. It was a rare and fast turnaround, driven largely by enormous pressure from the travel industry and the public.
But Global Entry was not reinstated. International travelers returning to the United States who had previously used Global Entry kiosks were redirected into standard Customs and Border Protection lines. As of today, Global Entry remains suspended at every participating U.S. airport, with no clear timeline for restoration. The new DHS Secretary, Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, who was tapped to replace former Secretary Kristi Noem after she was fired on March 5, has not yet announced whether or how the program will be brought back.
TSA Workers Are the Real Crisis
Behind the scenes at America’s airports, a far more serious problem is building. The roughly 61,000 TSA officers who are classified as essential personnel have continued working through the shutdown — but they have not been getting paid properly.
On February 28, TSA workers received only a partial paycheck. The first full missed paycheck is scheduled for March 14. That date is already being called the single most dangerous travel day of Spring Break 2026, because it coincides directly with the peak of one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.
The consequences of this financial pressure are already showing up at airports across the country. Officers are calling out sick in greater numbers, missing shifts, and in some cases leaving the job entirely. When fewer screeners show up, fewer lanes open — and lines explode.
The Airport Lines Are Already Getting Ugly
Several major airports have reported extraordinary wait times in recent days. Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport has seen TSA lines stretching more than three hours on back-to-back mornings. Travelers there were advised to arrive four to five hours before their flights. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport reported wait times approaching two hours, with lines extending outside the terminal and snaking through the parking structure. Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta and Charlotte Douglas International were also reporting well above average delays.
Aviation directors and airport managers have been blunt about the problem. When more passengers arrive and fewer security lanes are staffed, wait times do not just increase — they multiply rapidly.
What Makes This Shutdown Different
Previous government shutdowns created friction for the TSA. Longer lines, enrollment delays, and occasional checkpoint closures were common. But through all of them, PreCheck lanes and Global Entry kiosks stayed open. The programs were designed with fee-based funding structures specifically to keep them running independent of federal appropriations.
This time, DHS moved to suspend both programs anyway — even though they are primarily funded by the fees members pay, not by taxpayer dollars. That decision, even though it was quickly reversed for PreCheck, represents a significant shift in how the government is approaching these programs during funding crises.
Over 20 million Americans are enrolled in TSA PreCheck, paying between $76 and $85 for a five-year membership. More than 12 million are enrolled in Global Entry, which carries a $120 membership fee. Together, trusted traveler programs cover well over 40 million vetted passengers. The abrupt attempt to suspend both programs with almost no notice struck travel industry leaders as both avoidable and deeply disruptive.
What to Do Before You Fly
TSA PreCheck is open. Your Known Traveler Number is still valid. PreCheck lanes are still the fastest way through security, and right now — with standard lines backing up dramatically at understaffed checkpoints — your PreCheck membership is more valuable than it has been in years.
Here is what matters before your next flight:
First, confirm your KTN is entered correctly in your airline reservation. It does not transfer automatically between airlines — you may need to add it manually for each carrier.
Second, make sure the name on your boarding pass exactly matches the name on your PreCheck account. Even small spelling differences can prevent PreCheck from appearing on your pass.
Third, give yourself extra time. Even PreCheck lanes can slow down when staffing is reduced. Most airports are still advising travelers to arrive earlier than usual.
Fourth, if you are returning from international travel, do not count on Global Entry. Download the Mobile Passport Control app, which is free, does not require a paid membership, and allows you to submit passport and customs information digitally at many major airports.
Fifth, check TSA’s official website for wait time updates at your specific departure airport before leaving for the airport.
The Bigger Picture
The partial DHS shutdown is now nearly four weeks old. Congress remains at an impasse. With Spring Break arriving and TSA workers facing their first full missed paycheck on March 14, the window for things to get significantly worse before they get better is very real.
TSA PreCheck itself is not shut down. But airport security in America right now is operating under stress levels it has not seen in years, and the situation is changing week by week. Staying informed, arriving early, and using every tool available to speed up your time at the airport is simply smart travel in March 2026.
Have you experienced airport delays or PreCheck issues during the shutdown? Share what you saw in the comments — and keep checking back as this situation continues to develop.
