TSA PreCheck is back up and running after a chaotic weekend tied to the ongoing partial government shutdown.
The Department of Homeland Security initially announced it would suspend both PreCheck and Global Entry starting Sunday morning, citing a lapse in funding. The plan was to redirect staff to help manage longer security lines as travelers dealt with a major winter storm and thousands of canceled flights. For a few hours Sunday, some airports — including St. Louis Lambert International Airport — temporarily closed their PreCheck lanes.
But less than a day later, DHS reversed course. TSA confirmed that PreCheck remains operational nationwide, saying there’s “no change for the traveling public” for now. Officials added they’ll adjust on a case-by-case basis if staffing becomes an issue.
Global Entry, however, has been hit harder. The expedited customs program has been suspended at some airports in the U.S. and Canada, meaning international travelers could find themselves back in the standard passport control lines.
The decision, and the quick reversal, came with some criticism from lawmakers and travel industry groups, who argued that shutting down programs designed to ease congestion would only make airport lines worse. The situation came about just weeks before spring break travel starts to begin, which adds to concerns about potential delays if the shutdown continues.