Long security lines that extended outside San Diego International Airport significantly improved Tuesday, though wait times continue to fluctuate dramatically based on the time of day and staffing levels, according to industry experts.
News 8 reporter Shannon Handy assessed current conditions at both terminals after travelers reported 90-minute waits the previous day. She documented substantial improvements by Tuesday morning, though the underlying issues causing delays persist.
Manageable waits replace extended lines
At Terminal 1 around 10:30 a.m., Handy timed her progression through security and found conditions improved. It took her 23 minutes to get through the line. The scene contrasted sharply with the previous day, when lines extended outside the terminal building, though airport officials note the line was longer prior to 8am.
Travelers arriving at the airport expressed pleasant surprise at the conditions. Shanna Fricklas and her family, including 4-month-old Raiya, arrived three hours early expecting significant delays. “We were expecting two‑and‑a‑half‑hour lines — that’s what we were reading online,” Fricklas said. Upon assessing the actual wait, she added, “It’s not bad — we’ll probably get through in 15 minutes.”
Terminal 2 shows similar improvement
Terminal 2 experienced similarly improved conditions. Tonya Gonzalez, who arrived three‑and‑a‑half hours early for an international flight, encountered no wait upon arrival, though airport employees reported the line had extended earlier in the morning before clearing just after 8:30 a.m.
Multiple factors drive unpredictable delays
Brian Maloney, a policy analyst tracking the government shutdown’s impact on air travel, identified multiple contributors to unpredictable wait times. “It’s the airport, it’s the city, the time of day, the day of the week — and how many TSA agents show up. That’s a huge part of it,” Maloney said.
The delays occur during an unprecedented 38th day of a partial government shutdown that has strained TSA operations nationwide. A bill to fund TSA during the shutdown failed to advance in Congress. Maloney says its unclear how much longer the shutdown will continue. “Well, hopefully not much longer. It depends on a few things — one being Congress actually doing something. They caused this problem, and they’ve let it drag on to an unprecedented 38th day of a partial government shutdown,” Maloney said.
Additional support limited at San Diego
While ICE agents have been deployed to assist at airports nationwide, San Diego International has not received additional support. An airport spokesperson advised passengers to check their flight status and plan to arrive at least two‑and‑a‑half hours before departure.
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