Bucks County Courier Times
TSA workers ‘drowning in debt’ as they continue to serve amid shutdown
TSA union representative Angela Grana told USA TODAY that TSA workers are feeling ‘invisible’ as they work for free during the partial government shutdown.
As the Department of Homeland Security shutdown drags on Wednesday, Philadelphia International Airport still has some security checkpoints closed.
In the meantime, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been reported at airports across the country to assist. Philadelphia International Airport and other major airports in the region are among the sites that will reportedly be staffed in part by ICE agents.
Philadelphia International Airport was among the 13 major airports included on a list reported by CNN where ICE agents were being deployed to assist with long wait times at TSA checkpoints March 23, and agents were seen at Terminal D in Philadelphia on Tuesday, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, which reported the agents were at TSA PreCheck and traditional lines.
Here’s where to check security closures, TSA wait times and more before you fly out of Philadelphia today, March 25.
Wait times for the TSA/PreCheck wait times
Here are the wait times for security checkpoints at the Philadelphia International Airport this morning, Wednesday, March 25:
- Terminal A-East: 14 mins standard security, 2 mins TSA PreCheck
- Terminal B: 6 mins standard security
- Terminal D/E: 5 mins standard security, 2 mins TSA PreCheck
Live wait time updates can be found on the airport’s checkpoint hours page.
Which gates at Philadelphia International Airport are closed
As of Wednesday, March 25, TSA security checkpoints at Philadelphia’s Terminals A-West, C and F were still closed.
While these checkpoints are closed, all terminals remain open and accessible. Passengers flying out of Philadelphia can still get to those terminals once they pass security at other checkpoints, the airport explained.
Is TSA PreCheck still operating at PHL
TSA PreCheck is available at Philadelphia International Airport Terminals A-East and D/E.
The hours for open TSA checkpoints and PreCheck are as follows:
- Terminal A-East Standard Security: 4:15 a.m. – 10:15 p.m.
- Terminal A-East TSA PreCheck: 4:15 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Terminal B Standard Security: 3:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- Terminal D/E Standard Security: 3 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
- Terminal D/E TSA PreCheck: 3:45 a.m. – 8 p.m.
What is TSA PreCheck?
It’s a U.S. government program that expedites airport security screening for low-risk travelers, allowing them to keep on shoes, belts, and light jackets, and keep laptops and 3.4 ounces of liquids in their bags.
What are the benefits of TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck allows for faster screening. Nearly all PreCheck flyers wait in line for less than ten minutes, according to the TSA.
There are no unpacking bags, and you don’t have to remove your shoes, hand over your laptop for the TSA agent, or remove your shoes, bottled liquids or remove jackets.
Kaitlyn McCormick is a Philadelphia-based reporter writing for the Philadelphia Metro Connect Team.
