Sequester already causing long lines at airports, Napolitano says

Within days of sequestration's official enactment, lines at some major airports were already doubling, leading to longer wait times and potential future headaches for travelers, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told reporters today.

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Airport lines already doubling under sequester, Napolitano says

Napolitano, speaking at an event this morning sponsored by Politico, said that a number of major airports had seen lines balloon to 150-200 percent their normal size. Among the airports she mentioned were Los Angeles International and Chicago's O'Hare, though she said she'd have to double-check the specific sites to be sure.

"If you're traveling, get to the airport earlier than you otherwise would," she warned. "There's only so much we can do with personnel, and please don't yell at the customs officers or the TSA officers, they are not responsible for sequester."

The delays appear to have been specific to those dealing with customs and not TSA security lines; customs cut back on overtime after the sequester kicked in while TSA has yet to adjust overtime or furlough any employees.

According to the Customs and Border Protection agency (CBP), sequestration led to spikes in wait times at the top two international gateway airports on Saturday alone, largely resulting from reduced staffing. The CBP says 25-40 percent of booths would normally be staffed with officers on overtime, which has been reduced as a result of sequestration.

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At John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, CBP said there were approximately 56 flights with wait times in excess of 2 hours, and 14 flights over 3 hours. Miami International Airport (MIA) reported 51 flights over 2 hours, and 4 flights approached/exceeded 3 hours. According to the CBP, those wait times are uncharacteristic and a result of reduced staffing.

"Due to sequestration, CBP reduced overtime this weekend at Ports of Entry around the country and effects are already visible," the department said in a statement. "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 consequences of sequestration are expected to get worse with time, particularly as federal departments implement widespread furloughs beginning next month. Hiring freezes, another step many departments say they'll take to pare down budget costs, are expected to have a similar effect.

"As sequestration takes effect, travelers can expect to see lines and wait times increase as reductions to overtime and the inability to backfill positions for attrition begin to occur this month," according to a statement by the Transportation Security Authority (TSA). "While wait times can vary on a number of factors, due to the reductions mandated by sequestration, TSA will put in place a hiring freeze, which will result in up to an additional 1,000 [transportation security officer] vacancies by Memorial Day Weekend and up to 2,600 vacancies by the end of the fiscal year."

According to the TSA, wait times of more than 30-40 minutes could double at "nearly all of the largest airports" during busy travel periods due to the decrease in overall staffing, and those flying at non-peak times can also expect to see a bump in wait times.

[DiaJim007]

Another waste of Tax dollars. Pay overtime at 1.5 instead of hiring more staff. If they had more staff they would save more than paying 30% more in wages.

The CBP says 25-40 percent of booths would normally be staffed with officers on overtime, which has been reduced as a result of sequestration.

[usafredom]

she is WRONG.. Scare tactics is not working with the American people. There are no long lines at any airport in this country. Media plays a big roll in scaring the American public. The sequester was brought on by our President.He is ignoring the sequester and playing the blame game just like the media. Ignoring the issue is not a option.

[cleric77]

So, we taxpayers are paying overtime at our airports...just hire employers and stop punishing us fellow citizens. I still wonder how many congress-persons aides have been cut or laid off? Do you think any of our government leaders are cutting back on their benefits?

[Socialistnation]

Seems like pretty simple math. If the growth reduction is 2% because of the sequester and TSA needs to have its staff work overtime to cover customs requirements. Overtime is time +50% or +100% in pay, then why not just hire more TSA Customs people. It would actually save more than the 2% Sequester and would eliminate overtime.

[TBIneluctable]

This story is a lie. There are and were not any long lines at the airport security caused by the sequester. Its a shame that the "Homeland Security chief has to prostitute herself for the flagging BO administration. Just like those teachers who were furloughed before the sequester were credited by the BO admin as caused by the sequester. BO is a failing President.

[CBS_NEWS_LIES]

CBS News; couldn't bring yourself to actually check the TSA or FAA flight status websites to see that there was not a shred of truth in Napolitano's statements?

It is truly disheartening to watch the network who introduced America to the dogged reporter (Mike Wallace)who would chase a liar down the street being reduced to a lapdog for the current administration (see Steve Kroft).

[TJphoto]

UHHH Janice, There have always been long lines at the TSA, just like there have always been Thieves at the TSA. Didn't you get the memo? If a Company has problems they are caused by Management as rank & file do not have the power to set policy. What's your policy Janice?

[empirebuilder]

Could 6 - 10" of snow in Chicago delay bag handling at O'Hare and slow up Customs lines??? Hmmm... now that's a novel reason...

[empirebuilder]

Probably first time this administration has missed an opportunity to bring weather into an issue.

Or let's try this one on for size... maybe global warming is making Customs and TSA employees work slower due to heat and slowness of breath...causing back ups..

Not much more far fetched than what we have been fed so far..

[24lomas]

The sequester is the only way to cut federal spending. If it is causing long lines, so be it. Saying the sequester is causing long lines at the airport, we will never cut the federal spending. We need more sequesters. People will adjust. We have to sacrifice to cut the debt we have.

[thatchmo62]

She lies. Airport officials says everything is normal and CBS, as usual, cuts and pastes the administration line in their story without hesitation.

[swagnermac2013]

1. There have been very few times when I have travelled by air when I haven't had to stand in a long line waiting to clear TSA screening -- how about improving efficiency. 2. It cost us over $1 million for Obama to golf with Tiger Woods -- seems like that money could have been used to pay for a lot of overtime. 3. Kerry announced that we were giving more money to Egypt. We shouldn't be spending that money to support a corrupt, evil gov't.