Shock, disbelief at Houston airport as 36% of TSA officers call out: "Insane"
"This is the first time I've experienced something like this in my entire life," one traveler said as TSA lines snaked through George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Updated on: March 25, 2026 / 9:24 PM EDT / CBS News
Travelers at a Houston airport voiced shock and disbelief over seemingly endless TSA security lines caused by a severe staffing shortage.
The line at George Bush Intercontinental Airport snaked underground, across terminals and even outside as 36% of TSA officers there called out of work amid a partial government shutdown that has frozen their paychecks.
Among those spotted in the security line Wednesday morning was former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr, waiting for two hours and counting.
Nay Dedrick of Boston said she missed her flight after waiting "6 to 8 hours" on Monday in the long security line in Houston, so she slept at the airport and tried again the next day, finally arriving home Tuesday afternoon.