Software Problem Leads To Huge Lines At JFK Terminal 4 Checkpoints
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport was hit with major lines and frustrated travelers Thursday evening.
As CBS2's Andrea Grymes reported, a software issue was preventing passengers from being screened.
The checkpoint at Terminal 4 has 18 lanes, but as late as 6:50 p.m., only 12 of them were operating. Some time earlier only eight had been operating.
The lines of people waiting to be screened had been so long that they reached the doors of the terminal.
The line did get moving by 5:45 p.m. But as late as 6:50 p.m., there was still a 25-minute wait to get through the checkpoint, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
Pictures posted to social media showed throngs of fliers in extra-long lines waiting to get through security checkpoints.
@Delta terminal 4 at JFK security checkpoints DOWN. I need to make my flights... what can we do about it??? pic.twitter.com/U1fcdSijaB
— Regina R. (@reginar21) October 26, 2017
Currently at JFK airport, where the security screening machines are down. People are literally screaming out in anger. This is getting ugly. pic.twitter.com/b4JRpPP3Cq
— Reuben Mourad (@ReubenMourad) October 26, 2017
"That's a little worrisome," said Enrica Bagnasco, who was dropping off her daughter Thursday evening for a flight to Buffalo. "You don't want to miss your flight, so hopefully, they'll fix it all up and get it together."
Terminal 4 is the largest at JFK, with more than 30 airlines operating there – many of them international.
Beata Lewandowski was traveling to Poland.
"At least we are ahead of time," she said.