DHS abruptly reverses suspension as Tsa Precheck reopens amid Chicago travel chaos
The Department of Homeland Security reversed course Sunday and restored tsa precheck and Global Entry hours after announcing their suspension, a change that coincided with long security lines at Chicago airports and hundreds of storm-related flight cancellations during a major nor'easter.
Tsa Precheck suspension set for 5 a. m., reversed after 9: 30 a. m.
DHS announced on Saturday evening (described as Saturday night in one account) that it would suspend TSA PreCheck and Global Entry on Sunday; the suspension was set to begin at 5 a. m. Chicago time. After 9: 30 a. m., DHS announced that it "remains operational with no change for the traveling public, " and said it would "evaluate on a case-by-case basis and adjust operations accordingly. " Two DHS CBS News there are no changes to Global Entry.
Long lines at O'Hare and traveler reactions
An airport employee told CBS News Chicago there were long lines and confusion after staff closed PreCheck, forcing travelers into general security lines at O'Hare. Traveler Jason Hahn said he "came in 45 minutes before I normally do; I travel every week" and that he adjusted his schedule and got to O'Hare early Sunday in case he had to stand in the general security line. Hahn added, "Not having Global Entry can be the difference between two hours, " and said, "In the back of my mind, I almost felt like the administration was punishing, because I have a feeling the staffing levels are probably the same. " Travel expert Peter Greenberg said his "first reaction was, are you kidding me? This makes no sense based on the numbers we already know, " and called the move more of a political act, saying, "It's just a longer line, it doesn't solve anyone's problems. "
Storm cancels flights; O'Hare and Midway tallies
Flights were also canceled and delayed at Chicago airports amid a major nor'easter moving up the East Coast. As of 5: 30 p. m. Sunday, O'Hare had 133 cancellations with average delays of 16 minutes, and Midway had 23 cancellations with average delays of less than 15 minutes. ABC7 noted travelers in Chicago were getting through without issue at 6 a. m. despite the planned suspension, and later in the morning TSA reiterated that PreCheck would remain operational with no change.
Regional storm warnings and state responses
The nor'easter was set to barrel through the Northeast Coast Sunday into Monday, dumping at least a foot of snow in places and prompting the first blizzard warning for New York City in nearly a decade. 40 million Americans were under a blizzard warning for the storm and another 14 million were facing winter storm warnings. Governors of seven Northeast states—Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island—declared states of emergency, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a "state of preparedness" as the storm intensified Sunday afternoon. Several governors urged people to stay off roadways and highways, and travel bans were issued in New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Shutdown background and agency impacts
The partial government shutdown began Feb. 14 after lawmakers failed to reach a deal on funding for DHS amid growing calls to change immigration operations. The calls followed the deadly shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota last month by federal immigration agents, which Democrats used to press for changes and to push Congress to reverse the shutdown. DHS said it was suspending TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and courtesy escorts for members of Congress to allow officers to focus on core duties. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, "shutdowns have serious real world consequences, " and added that "TSA and CBP are prioritizing the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts. " Along with TSA, the shutdown is impacting agencies such as FEMA and the Coast Guard; the coverage noted the 43-day shutdown that ended in November was the longest in U. S. history. So far, TSA workers have missed one paycheck, while air traffic controllers are not impacted by the shutdown.
What comes next
they will continue to evaluate operations and staffing "on a case-by-case basis, " and travelers who were rerouted through general screening said they hope tsa precheck remains open. The nor'easter was scheduled to continue Sunday into Monday with heavy snow and blizzard conditions in parts of the Northeast; agencies and state officials urged the public to heed travel advisories as the storm progresses.
