Security issues lead to disarray at Atlanta airport on Tuesday
Long security lines at world's busiest airport
Passengers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are standing in line for hours to get through the security screen at the world's busiest airport. The airport is also reporting multiple delays and cancellations.
ATLANTA - Travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport faced another day of long security lines, missed flights and mounting frustration Tuesday as staffing shortages and lingering flight disruptions continued to snarl operations.
What we know:
The heaviest delays were tied to TSA checkpoints, particularly at the international terminal, where waits stretched to about 90 minutes Tuesday afternoon, according to airport officials. Earlier in the day, passengers at domestic checkpoints were seeing waits of more than 90 minutes to two hours, prompting some travelers to head to the international side in hopes of getting through security faster.
Instead, many found even longer lines.
Passengers described crowded conditions and confusion as thousands of travelers packed the international terminal. Some said they had already spent hours trying to clear security, only to realize they would miss their flights.
Airport officials urged domestic travelers to use the domestic terminal, saying the international checkpoint should be reserved for international passengers because of the overwhelming crowds there. At one point Tuesday morning, officials issued an alert warning passengers not to go to the international side because of the lengthy wait.
The security problems come as a partial government shutdown involving the Department of Homeland Security continues to affect TSA staffing. Officials said some employees called out Tuesday, while the lower North checkpoint at the domestic terminal was closed again.
Airport leaders and TSA officials were seen monitoring the situation at the international terminal as lines stretched across the check-in area and waiting zones. Even with conditions improving slightly from earlier in the day, travelers were still facing significant delays by Tuesday afternoon.
The security bottleneck added to an already difficult travel day. The airport was also dealing with lingering delays and cancellations tied to severe weather, including an earlier ground stop for Delta Air Lines.
But for many passengers, the biggest headache Tuesday was not the weather. It was getting through security.
Long waits continue at Atlanta airport
Long waits are continuing Tuesday morning at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The delays and cancellations are related to severe weather and TSA shortages caused by the partial government shutdown.
What you can do:
Airport officials are urging travelers to arrive at least three hours early.