TSA line wait times subside at BWI

Key Points:

• Security lines at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) have significantly improved Sunday after wait times of up to five hours on Friday and Saturday, with no lines outside the airport and faster movement through checkpoints.
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel were deployed Saturday to assist TSA by providing operational support such as managing orderly lines and helping with special needs, allowing TSA agents to focus on security screening.
• The partial federal government shutdown caused a high number of TSA worker callouts and resignations, leading to severe delays; an executive order was signed Friday to fund TSA paychecks, but staffing uncertainties remain.
• Travelers expressed relief and optimism over the improved situation Sunday, though officials continue to advise arriving three hours before flights due to potential fluctuations in wait times throughout the day.
• Airport officials and TSA emphasized that ICE’s role is limited to operational support, not immigration enforcement, amid public concerns; the airport is actively adapting procedures to maintain safety and efficiency during the ongoing staffing challenges.