More Philly Airport TSA Checkpoints Shut Down; Longer Wait Times Expected

PHILADELPHIA — Two more Philadelphia International Airport security checkpoints will close as the partial federal government shutdown enters its second month.

Starting Wednesday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will temporarily close its checkpoints at Terminal A-West and Terminal F, the airport announced. Last week, TSA closed its Terminal C checkpoint due to a staffing shortage.

The airport recommends arriving 2.5 hours before domestic flights and 3.5 hours before international flights.

All terminals remain open past security, and you can reach them through any open checkpoint.

Here's where travelers should go through security if their terminal's checkpoint is closed:

• Flying from A-West: use the A-East checkpoint.
• Flying from C: B checkpoint.
• Flying from F: D/E checkpoint.

The partial government shutdown began Feb. 14 and impacts Department of Homeland Security funding, which includes TSA.

The shutdown stems from disputes in Congress about reforms to federal immigration enforcement, following the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renée Good in Minneapolis.

An Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot Good in early January. Customs and Border Protections agents shot Pretti a few weeks later.

The funding dispute caused a partial shutdown Jan. 31. But it ended four days later when a resolution extended negotiations by two weeks.

Visit the Philadelphia Airport's website for more information on the status of its security checkpoints.