Why Airports Feel Broken Right Now

Design by Christian Branch

By Valentina Castañeda Castellanos

At 6 a.m., when the airport usually is a quiet place, there are already security lines wrapping around the entire terminal, departure boards flashing “delayed,” and it seems like no one has a clue of what's going on. For travelers, trying to fly these days has become a real headache.

Across the United States, airports have been dealing with constant disruptions, and the situation has been getting worse lately. One of the main reasons is the staffing crisis affecting airport security checkpoints. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA),  responsible for passenger screening, has been impacted by a partial government funding shutdown. Officers are working without pay and hundreds either resign or are not showing up to work—leading to  long security lines that can last for hours.

To “help alleviate” this issue, President Donald Trump has issued an order to deploy U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at airports across the country to help manage the long lines and assist TSA workers who are overwhelmed by the volume of passengers and staff shortages.

Here's the problem: ICE agents aren't trained to conduct airport security screenings. According to reports made by The Washington Post, many of them have limited themselves to simple tasks such as redirecting lines or checking IDs (or taking hour-long breaks while eating a snack). Passengers have stated that their presence has not reduced wait times and instead has made them feel uneasy, given the expansion of immigration enforcement over the past year. Some argue that this is more of a political strategy than a practical one, because no improvement has been seen since its implementation. Many question this measure, making it controversial.

On top of the staff shortage, demand for travel is high, especially during spring break. The weather continues to cause  more delays that ripple throughout the entire system, as a delayed flight in New York can quickly escalate and affect flights across the country.

For New Yorkers, this has real consequences. Traveling through nearby airports like JFK and LaGuardia (even Newark airport) now requires more planning than ever. To miss a flight can mean paying extra fees or dealing with limited seating, making your stay longer than expected and leading to even more expenses. For international students, delays can be more stressful due to such strict schedules and missing classes.

Here are some measures to consider if you’re traveling soon and what to expect: Early morning flights are more reliable because delays haven’t had time to pile up yet. Second, don’t be overconfident. You need to arrive earlier than you think; the lines are longer than usual, and you could get stuck for hours at a routine security check. Some have suggested arriving four hours before your domestic flight. Finally, get comfortable and prepare for delays.

Air travel used to feel predictable, but these past weeks it’s anything but that. Between staffing shortages, political decisions, and high demand, the system is under a lot of pressure. For students, balancing tight schedules and budgets while keeping up with what’s happening isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

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Originally from Colombia, María Valentina is now a freshman at City College studying Economics and working as a restaurant hostess in Westchester. Living in New York has inspired her to read and write about politics, philosophy, and the immigrant experience. She hopes to use her voice to advocate for greater recognition and rights for immigrants in the future.