Spring break travelers heading to airports during the ongoing partial U.S. government shutdown should brace for potential delays, with experts warning security lines are already stretching for hours at some airports.

Passengers across the country are reporting longer Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wait times, flight delays and crowded terminals — with security lines at some airports topping three hours, according to Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at travel company AirHelp.

Airport security lines in Austin, Texas, stretched out the door early Friday, with passengers waiting hours to board flights.

“For passengers that did not factor in the possibility of longer lines, many are missing their flights as a result,” Napoli told FOX Business.

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Travelers wait in line at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, on March 9.  (Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The disruptions come as more than 300 TSA officers have left the agency since the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown began. Unscheduled absences — or callouts — have also climbed to roughly 6% nationwide, a TSA official previously confirmed to Fox News Digital.

“When critical aviation personnel, particularly TSA officers, are working without pay the result is staffing shortages and operational strain across airports throughout the country,” Napoli told FOX Business.

Global Entry processing — which had been paused earlier during the shutdown — resumed last Wednesday, a move Napoli said could help ease congestion by shifting some travelers out of standard security lines.

Napoli advises travelers to plan ahead to avoid disruptions, including arriving earlier than usual and booking early-morning flights, which are less likely to be impacted by cascading delays throughout the day.

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Travelers and staff walk through Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va., on March 13.  (Annabelle Gordon / AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Passengers should also pack essential items in carry-on bags in case of baggage delays or overnight disruptions.

Napoli urged travelers to understand their rights if flights are canceled or significantly delayed.

“If the airline informs that passenger that their flight is canceled or that there is a new schedule that makes the flight significantly delayed, the passenger is entitled to reject the new schedule, decide not to take the flight, and obtain a full cash refund,” Napoli said.

For baggage issues on domestic flights, airlines must reimburse reasonable expenses up to $3,800 per passenger under federal regulations, he added.

TRAVEL EXPERT WARNS AMERICANS TO ‘BOOK NOW’ AS OIL PRICES THREATEN HIGHER AIRFARES
 

People wait in long TSA lines as the partial government shutdown continues for several weeks at airports like Chicago O’Hare in Chicago, IL, on March 9, 2026. (Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Travel insurance and certain credit cards may also provide coverage for delays, missed connections or lost luggage.

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“The best prepared passenger is one that is well-informed on their rights in various flight scenarios and when they can pursue compensation,” Napoli said.

Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano and Ashley DiMella contributed to this report.

This article was written by

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More than six weeks after 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her Tucson home, the investigation into her disappearance remains active but without a named suspect or confirmed arrest, authorities said March 13, 2026, as the case entered its 41st day.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos provided the latest update, stating investigators believe the abduction was targeted and they have a working theory on motive, though he declined to elaborate publicly. “We believe we know why he did this, and we believe that it was targeted,” Nanos said in an interview, adding he could not rule out the possibility of the perpetrator striking again. He emphasized the home was specifically chosen, but stressed the investigation continues to explore all angles.

Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen around 9:45 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2026, after family members dropped her off following dinner and game night. She failed to appear for a virtual church service the next morning, prompting her family to report her missing Feb. 1. Authorities quickly determined she had been taken against her will, possibly in the middle of the night, describing the incident as a kidnapping.

Evidence collected includes DNA from black gloves found at the scene that did not match Nancy or her inner circle, though recent analysis led to a dead end. Investigators continue reviewing laboratory material, images and videos from cameras, including doorbell footage and neighborhood surveillance. A mysterious internet service disruption on the night of the abduction has drawn FBI scrutiny, with some neighbors reporting Ring camera histories unavailable from that period.

Multiple purported ransom notes have surfaced, demanding millions in Bitcoin with deadlines that passed without resolution. The family has posted emotional video pleas directly addressing potential captors, with Savannah Guthrie and siblings Annie and Camron saying “we will pay” and urging her safe return. On Feb. 24, they announced a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy’s recovery, supplementing the FBI’s $100,000 offer. Tips can be submitted to 1-800-CALL-FBI.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FBI have cleared all family members, including Savannah Guthrie, her siblings and spouses, as suspects. Sheriff Nanos described the Guthries as cooperative victims in the case.

Savannah Guthrie, who has been off air since early February to support her family in Arizona, made an emotional visit to the “Today” studio in New York on March 5. She addressed colleagues, expressing gratitude for their support and affirming her intention to return to the anchor desk. “I’m still standing, and I still have hope, and I’m still me,” she said, holding onto faith and quoting her mother: “Where else would I go?” A network spokesperson confirmed she plans to resume on-air duties but remains focused on family and efforts to bring Nancy home.

Public support has poured in, with flowers left at Nancy’s Catalina Foothills home and widespread prayers shared online. Savannah posted a photo of the tributes March 2, noting one month since the abduction and asking people not to stop praying and hoping.

Investigators have followed thousands of tips, analyzed a damaged utility box near the residence (deemed unrelated by the sheriff but still examined by the FBI), and reviewed vehicles in the area. A Honda belonging to daughter Annie was impounded briefly for examination and is expected to be returned soon.

The case has captivated national attention, blending the high-profile status of Savannah Guthrie with the mystery of a seemingly random yet targeted crime against an elderly woman described as humble, faithful and proud of her family. No cognitive issues were reported for Nancy, who was in good health.

As the search stretches into March, authorities urge continued vigilance and tips from the public. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office and FBI stress the investigation is far from over, with ongoing forensic work and analysis of digital and physical evidence.

The Guthrie family continues to hold out hope, their pleas underscoring a desperate wait for resolution in a case that has raised more questions than answers.