Travelers planning to fly in the next few months may want to include a couple more hours of waiting in their itineraries. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano advised airline passengers on Monday to get to the airport earlier than the usual two-hour-prior predicament because U.S. budget cuts have already turned into long lines at security checkpoints.
According to comments made by the Federal Agency official, mandatory spending cuts ordered on Friday have resulted in the cancellation of overtime shifts for security officers and custom agents. Napolitano warned that upcoming furlough notices sent to Transportation Security Administration employees will only make it worse. Hiring freezes are also expected, which would prevent any open positions from being filled.
Chicago's O'Hare, L.A. and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta are among the airports that had "very long lines this weekend," stated Napolitano at a "Politico Playbook" breakfast event.
Delays were between 150 percent and 200 percent during the weekends, according to the Federal Agency. However, TSA registered no delays at any U.S. airport on Monday morning.
Some lawmakers have accused the administration officials of exaggerating the impact, pointing out that Chicago, L.A. and Atlanta routinely register delays that have nothing to do with the deep spending reductions, which will cut a total of $85 billion before Oct. 1.
"Look people I don't mean to scare you, I mean to inform," responded Napolitano. "If you are traveling, get to the airport earlier than you otherwise would."
She also pleaded with travelers to "not yell at the Customs or TSA officers -- they are not responsible for the sequester."
Customs and Border Protection issued a statement on Monday that backed the Agency's position.
"Lanes that would have previously been open due to overtime staffing were closed, further exacerbating wait times at airports with typically longer international arrival processes," the statement said.
It added that additional effects were expected after March 7, as furloughs take effect.
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