With spring break in full swing on Monday, March 9, wait times at TSA checkpoints were extended at airports across the United States.
On March 8, airports in Houston and New Orleans experienced TSA wait times of up to 3 1/2 hours, while airports in Florida, including Southwest International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, have so far only been slightly affected.
However, if you plan to travel from RSW soon, be prepared for a long wait at the TSA checkpoint.
Travelers with connecting flights and anyone returning to RSW from across the country should monitor airport social media and alerts to learn how early they should arrive to pass TSA checkpoints to avoid missing their flight.
A Transportation Security Administration agent works at a security checkpoint as passengers wait in line at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, on November 7, 2025.
TSA: ‘Spring Break in trouble’
The staffing shortage occurs during a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Transportation Security Administration. Funding expired on February 13 as Congress failed to reach an agreement on immigration enforcement reform, leaving approximately 50,000 airport screeners working without pay.
“At some major airports, travelers faced Transportation Security Administration (TSA) lines that lasted nearly three hours, resulting in missed flights and significant delays during peak travel periods,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
“These frontline heroes received only partial pay earlier this month and now face their first full backpay, resulting in financial hardship, absenteeism and severe staffing shortages,” the Department of Homeland Security said. A DHS social media post was titled “Spring Break Under Siege.”
Airlines say the timing couldn’t be worse as the spring travel season begins. Airlines expect a record 171 million passengers to fly during the busy period, about 4% more than the same two months last year.
TSA X account blames Democrats for delays. In several posts on Sunday, the Transportation Security Administration accused Democrats of using spring break travel as a “political stunt.”
What are the current TSA wait times at Fort Myers RSW Airport?
According to the TSA, as of 12:45 p.m. on March 9, RSW checkpoint wait times are expected to be:
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW): 15-30 minutes, reduced to 0-15 minutes after 3pm
What are the current wait times at Florida airports?
As of Monday morning, here are estimated security wait times at Florida airports, based on individual airports and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Please note that expected wait times will change throughout the week:
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Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB): 15-30 minutes, increasing to 45 minutes around 11am
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Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS): 0-15 minutes
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Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL): 15-30 minutes
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Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV): 0-15 minutes
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Jacksonville International Airport (JAX): 0-15 minutes, increasing to nearly 30 minutes around 5pm, and again around 7pm
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Key West International Airport (EYW): 0-15 minutes, increasing to 20-25 minutes from 12 noon to 1 p.m.
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Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB): 0-15 minutes
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Miami International Airport (MIA): 15-30 minutes
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Northwest Florida Beaches International (ECP): 0-15 minutes
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Orlando International Airport (MCO): 15-30 minutes
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Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB): 0-15 minutes
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Palm Beach International Airport (PBI): 0-15 minutes, increasing to nearly 30 minutes around 11 a.m., and again around 7 p.m.
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Pensacola International Airport (PNS): 0-15 minutes, increasing to nearly 30 minutes around 4 p.m.
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Punta Gorda Airport (PGD): 0-15 minutes
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Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ): 0-15 minutes
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St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE): 0-15 minutes
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Tallahassee International Airport (TLH): 0-15 minutes
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Tampa International Airport (TPA): 15-30 minutes
Wait times will be shorter for travelers using TSA PreCheck, or for families or military members using dedicated lines (if available).
How to check TSA wait times
Need to know when to arrive at the airport? There are several ways to monitor TSA lines in real time.
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Airport website: Many official airports will be posting checkpoint updates so you know what’s going on today
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MyTSA mobile app: TSA’s free app provides estimated wait times at many U.S. airports based on TSA data and passenger reports, as well as other TSA information
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3rd party website: There are some unofficial websites (such as Fly.com or tsawaittimes.com) that provide estimated wait times, but you should double-check official sources for the latest information
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This article originally appeared in the Fort Myers News-Press: RSW TSA wait times at Fort Myers airport today
