- DHS funding expired Feb. 14, triggering a partial shutdown, but TSA confirmed PreCheck remains operational at CVG’s main security checkpoint.
- Nonessential TSA privileges, including courtesy escorts for members of Congress, were suspended as officers prioritize core security operations.
- Global Entry arrival processing is suspended nationwide, with CBP officers reassigned to standard traveler processing lanes.
Airline travelers concerned about a possible lapse in TSA’s PreCheck amid a partial government shutdown can rest (fly?) easy: The service remains operational at CVG.
The Department of Homeland Security alerted the public Sunday that nonessential privileges and courtesies provided by the Transportation Security Administration would be suspended; this followed the partial government shutdown on Feb. 14.
Homeland Security officials initially said PreCheck screenings would be paused, before reversing course hours later.
TSA’s PreCheck service allows pre-approved travelers to go through an expedited security process, bypassing the TSA’s general security lanes. The partial shutdown affects solely Homeland Security. The rest of the federal government is funded through Sept. 30.
“At this time, TSA PreCheck remains operational with no change for the traveling public,” TSA said in a statement to LINK nky. “As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case-by-case basis and adjust operations accordingly. Courtesy escorts, such as those for Members of Congress, have been suspended to allow officers to focus on the mission of securing America’s skies.”
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in the Feb. 22 release that TSA and Customs and Border Patrol will prioritize the overall experience of the general traveling public during the partial shutdown.
“Shutdowns have real world consequences, not just for the men and women of DHS and their families who go without a paycheck, but it endangers our national security,” she said. “The American people depend on this department every day, and we are making tough but necessary workforce and resource decisions to mitigate the damage inflicted by these politicians. TSA and CBP are prioritizing the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts.”
Another Homeland Security traveler program, Global Entry, is in fact suspended during the partial shutdown, according to Homeland Security. Global Entry is a Customs and Border Protection program that provides expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States from abroad.
