Long TSA lines abound — but not everywhere in the DMV

The latest: At Dulles, security lines "remain steady and within normal wait times," the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority tells Axios.

• Same story at Reagan National — based on its real-time checkpoint tracker (worth bookmarking if you're flying DCA).

The intrigue: It's not just a D.C. bubble.

• An NPR correspondent who just visited six major airports — from Dulles to Atlanta to Orlando — never waited more than 30 minutes.

Yes, but: The situation isn't overblown — it's unpredictable.

• TSA staffing gaps mean conditions can shift quickly. Airports can suddenly close lanes, triggering major backups.
• That happened at BWI last Sunday, when 38% of TSA officers called out, and travelers waited for hours. Lines have eased since — and the airport says they've been "close to normal" apart from Sunday. But you're still advised to arrive at least 3 hours early.

Between the lines: President Trump deployed ICE to some of the worst-hit airports this week.

• Agents have been spotted at Dulles and Reagan.
• No presence reported at BWI, where Maryland Governor Wes Moore has said, "We do not need ICE."

Catch up quick: Roughly 50,000 TSA employees have been working without pay for over a month — and thousands have called out (or quit) as the shutdown has dragged on.

• Across the country, horror stories range from security lines snaking into parking lots and missed flights, and feeds blasted with warnings to arrive 4+ hours early.

Good to know: Pre-screening lines often move faster.

• It may be too late to enroll in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry if you're traveling soon, but Clear biometric screening is available at all DMV airports — including new biometric e-gates at BWI — for a paid membership (typically over $200 a year, unless covered by your credit card).
• Meanwhile, TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lines are moving quickly, per the Points Guy, and can be activated with a simple opt-in.