DHS Reverses Short Suspension as Tsa Precheck Reopens Amid Chicago Delays
Tsa Precheck services were briefly suspended by the Department of Homeland Security and then restored hours later, a move that touched off long lines and confusion at Chicago airports already coping with weather-related cancellations.
DHS sets suspension for 5 a. m., then says systems "remain operational"
The department announced the suspension of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry Saturday night with the change set to take effect at 5 a. m. local time Sunday. Later in the morning — after 9: 30 a. m. — the department said it "remains operational with no change for the traveling public. " It also said staff would "evaluate on a case-by-case basis and adjust operations accordingly. " Two DHS there are no changes to Global Entry.
Passenger lines and reactions at O'Hare and Midway
An airport employee described long lines and confusion after TSA PreCheck was closed, forcing those passengers into general security. Traveler Jason Hahn said he "came in 45 minutes before I normally do, I travel every week, " adding he arrived early at O'Hare Sunday in case he had to stand in the general security line. "In the back of my mind, I almost felt like the administration was punishing, " Hahn said. "Because I have a feeling the staffing levels are probably the same. " A separate line in the context reads: "Not having Global Entry can be the difference between two hours" — unclear in the provided context who spoke that line.
Tsa Precheck stays open after review; TSA will adjust operations if needed
TSA announced that PreCheck services would continue operating without change, and a TSA spokesperson said, "TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly. " Travelers were seen getting through without issue at 6 a. m. local time in Chicago, and later statements maintained that PreCheck remained operational with no change. Travel expert Peter Greenberg reacted to the suspension: "My first reaction was, are you kidding me? This makes no sense based on the numbers we already know. " He added, "My intuitive response to what is going on is DHS is basically saying if you are messing with us, we are going to mess with you, " and called the move "more of a political act than anything else. "
Winter storm compounds travel disruptions
Flights were canceled and delayed at Chicago airports amid a major nor'easter. 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. The nor'easter was set to barrel through the Northeast Coast Sunday into Monday, dumping at least a foot of snow and prompting the first blizzard warning for New York City in nearly a decade. Overall, 40 million Americans were under a blizzard warning and another 14 million faced winter storm warnings.
Governors in seven Northeast states — Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island — declared states of emergency, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a "state of preparedness. " Officials in several states, including New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island, issued travel bans and urged people to stay off roadways and highways during the storm.
Officials point to shutdown effects and suspended courtesies
The partial government shutdown began Feb. 14 after lawmakers failed to reach a deal on DHS funding. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, "shutdowns have serious real world consequences, " and added, "TSA and CBP are prioritizing the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts. " An updated announcement noted that courtesy escorts, such as those for members of Congress, were suspended "to allow officers to focus on the mission of securing America's skies. " The partial shutdown follows a 43-day shutdown that ended in November; so far, TSA workers have missed one paycheck, while air traffic controllers are not impacted by the current shutdown.
What comes next for travelers
With Tsa Precheck operational again, TSA will continue to monitor staffing and "evaluate on a case-by-case basis and adjust operations accordingly. " Travelers affected by airport delays should plan around ongoing winter conditions as the nor'easter continues into Monday and expect airlines and airports to update cancellations and delays as the storm evolves.
