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TSA Pay Restart Collides With Costlier Fuel to Strain U.S. Air Travel

Rising fuel plus fewer TSA screeners are reshaping the spring flying experience.

Overview

  • DHS said TSA officers could start receiving paychecks as early as Monday after the president ordered pay restored.
  • Checkpoints remain short-staffed, with roughly 500 officers quitting and new hires needing four to six months of training.
  • Security lines have topped three hours at hubs such as Houston, New York, and Atlanta, which is already discouraging some trips.
  • Jet fuel at major U.S. airports hovered near $3.98 a gallon this week, which has led airlines to raise ticket prices and surcharges.
  • United’s CEO said airfare could climb about 20% this year as carriers plan for fuel to stay high and adjust schedules to match demand.