This is How TSA Staffing Issues Could Complicate Spring Travel

I’ll be honest, I don’t love flying. I'm not aerophobic or anything like that. Ironically, I love takeoffs and landings best. I'm always impressed by the speed and grace of flight itself; I will always be in awe of this part of travel.

It's everything else that I hate about the process. The nickel-and-diming by airlines for everything from baggage fees to in-cabin Wi-Fi to seat selection really makes me angry. Then there's the actual process of travel. Running between gates to grab connections, flight delays, cancellations, and rebookings—the whole process is a mess.

The worst part, though, is getting through security. Traveling by air is an exercise in patience, any day of the week, but that TSA line is always the worst part. Now, thanks to the ongoing TSA staffing mess thanks to the partial federal government shutdown, the whole painful ordeal just got even more fun.

If you've got a flight coming up, now's the time to learn a mindful meditation technique like box breathing, because thanks to funding issues, the whole process is going to test your patience like never before.

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What’s Actually Going On With The TSA Right Now?

If you're living under a rock (it's nice here, isn't it?), the partial government shutdown has TSA agents working without pay. Here's a big shocker: it's not going great for morale.

Sick calls have surged. More than 300 officers have left the agency nationwide, and major airports like Houston, Atlanta, and New Orleans are seeing security lines stretch past the three‑hour mark. Yes, three hours. For a security line.

While you're not flying in and out of these airports if you live in Arizona, if you're flying into any of these destinations, you may be in for a painful wait on your return trip.

READ THIS: Dangers of Fake Ride Share Drivers in Arizona

Is This Hitting Arizona Airports?

We've been lucky in Arizona, overall. Phoenix Sky Harbor isn’t getting slammed the way other major hubs are. FoxNews10 reports that local wait times at Arizona airports have stayed relatively normal—at least for now.

But before you celebrate with a $17 airport latte, remember that most Arizonans don’t just fly to Phoenix. If your trip connects through one of those meltdown‑mode airports, you might still get caught in the chaos. Missed flights and long delays are causing general traveler misery.

READ: Arizona Drivers Encouraged To Obtain REAL ID For Seamless Travel

Best Tips for Air Travelers

Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. Here's how you can stay ahead of the chaos:

• Arrive early. Even if Sky Harbor or Tucson International isn’t as backed up as other airports, the situation can change quickly.
• Check TSA wait times: Before leaving for the airport, bookmark flightque.com and look at TSA wait times. Things can be “up and down” during peak travel, so get an idea of what you're going to be dealing with before you get to the airport.
• Consider applying for TSA PreCheck or CLEAR ahead of your trip to reduce your time in line. Experts recommend these programs, especially during the shutdown.
• If you don’t have a Real ID, bring extra documentation and expect additional screening.

Relax, and don't forget that Box Breathing.