Is Sea-Tac airport getting rocked by longer wait times amid national TSA chaos?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Sea‑Tac reports 10–15 minute TSA waits and collects donations for unpaid agents.
- DHS operations unfunded for weeks; nearly 500 TSA staffers have quit.
- Airport urges two‑ to three‑hour arrival; some larger hubs face hours‑long lines.
Many travelers are experiencing hours-long lines at large airports across the country this week due to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent-staffing shortages amid the partial government shutdown.
Some wait times have reportedly stretched beyond four-and-a-half hours, leading to frustration and chaotic airport encounters.
So how is the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport faring?
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport wait times
In a Facebook post Wednesday morning, Sea-Tac airport reported normal TSA checkpoint wait times between 10 and 15 minutes on average. The airport noted that it’s collecting donations of food, supplies and gift cards to help support TSA agents who are clocking in without pay during the shutdown.
The Department of Homeland Security, which includes TSA, has been closed down for more than five weeks since funding for the department lapsed in mid-February, according to TIME.
TSA officers are expected to keep working despite a lack of pay because they’re viewed as essential workers, although many have declined to show up because they’ve had to turn to second jobs to make ends meet, per TIME. Since the shutdown began, nearly 500 TSA staffers have quit entirely.
President Donald Trump on Monday sent agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to certain airports to help with security operations, prompting blowback from Democratic lawmakers and critics.
Trump said Wednesday in a Truth Social post that he might “call up the National Guard” for additional assistance.
Sea-Tac airport wrote in a Tuesday morning post on Facebook that operations continued to be normal and that ICE wasn’t involved.
“Travelers may see federal law enforcement and Port of Seattle police throughout the terminal as part of regular efforts to keep the airport safe and secure,” the airport added.
Perry Cooper, the airport’s media relations manager, confirmed Wednesday that there is still no ICE presence at Sea-Tac airport.
When should travelers arrive at Sea-Tac?
The airport is sticking to its recommendations for people flying domestically to arrive two hours ahead of time, and those flying internationally to come three hours in advance, Cooper said in a call.
One reason why Sea-Tac might not be getting hit with long lines: The airport hasn’t entered its busy season when spring breakers go on vacation, he said; high schools normally don’t let out until the first two full weeks of April.
Sea-Tac has had fewer TSA agents call out, Cooper said. Plus the airport has worked on its checkpoint efficiency for years because it has a relatively small footprint.
The bottom line, Cooper said: Props are owed to the TSA staff who’ve continued showing up for work despite not getting paid.
“It’s kudos to them,” he said.
Cooper noted that a GoFundMe created for local TSA workers has attracted more than $100,000 in roughly 24 hours.
Bellingham International Airport wait times
The Bellingham Herald reported Monday that ICE agents had not been aiding TSA operations at the Bellingham International Airport (BLI), which was witnessing normal wait times.
As of Wednesday, ICE is still not assisting at the Bellingham airport, said Michael Hogan, public affairs administrator for the Port of Bellingham, in an email to McClatchy.
Hogan said the airport has seen “only minimal” shutdown-related disruptions. The local TSA workforce continues to be fully functional, he said.
Wait times are on par with normal conditions, he added, and there hasn’t been a heightened rate of absenteeism among TSA staffers.
“While there have been reports of challenges at some larger airports nationwide,” Hogan said, “those conditions have not materialized at BLI.”
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