Airports have been in chaos since the partial government shutdown began earlier this year, with TSA employees working without pay. TSA screeners are about to miss a paycheck as Spring Break travel heats up. The lapse in DHS funding has left TSA officers unpaid, resulting in significant staffing shortages.
Clear Secure has seen a surge in new sign-ups and app downloads amid the DHS shutdown. Clear's app saw a 625-630% increase in downloads on March 22 compared to its daily average in January and February, according to Appfigures Intelligence. Clear has been downloaded 230,000 times in March, up from 108,000 in all of January. Search interest in Clear has hit a multi-decade high according to Google Trends.
Clear's stock is up 57% for the year, reaching its highest value since going public in 2021. In Q4 2025, Clear's revenue increased more than 16% and total bookings increased more than 25%.
Clear Secure allows travelers to bypass TSA lines at more than 60 airports in the US. Clear uses biometric technology, such as fingerprint or eye scan, to verify identity and speed through initial security. However, Clear does not bypass TSA baggage screening but brings members to the front of the TSA line. The service operates through partnerships with individual airports.
Clear acknowledged that airport conditions beyond its control temporarily affected service for members at some airports, including Louis Armstrong New Orleans International and George Bush Intercontinental in Houston. Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport said its Clear lanes would not be operating on Monday.
Clear has deployed extra staff to airports and its 3,500 ambassadors remain fully staffed, helping TSA with line management. Clear has donated about $200,000 in gas and grocery cards to security officers. On behalf of American travelers and TSA officers who are showing up to work without pay, Clear hopes a resolution comes soon and is working hard to support all stakeholders.
Security lines at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport stretched for more than three hours on Sunday and Monday. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport reported TSA waits up to two hours, advising passengers to arrive at least three hours before flights. Other airports with long wait times included Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Charlotte Douglas International, and George Bush Intercontinental in Houston. Travelers have reported waits stretching for hours, with lines spilling beyond checkpoints into parking areas.
TSA officers missed their first full paycheck on March 13 and expect back pay once the shutdown ends. Many TSA officers are seeking secondary income, leading to increased absences. More than 400 TSA officers have quit since the partial shutdown began on Feb. 14. Hundreds of security agents quit after missing a mid-March payment.
TSA PreCheck lines remain open at most airports, allowing quicker screening for verified travelers who pay a fee. DHS initially said TSA PreCheck would close due to the shutdown but quickly reversed course. Global Entry, which allows trusted travelers to quickly go through customs, had remained closed but DHS announced plans to reopen it Wednesday morning. TSA PreCheck lanes remain operational as during previous government shutdowns.
TSA PreCheck is a voluntary program that allows expedited screening without removing shoes, belts, jackets, laptops, or liquids. TSA PreCheck enrollment fee ranges from $77 to $85 for a five-year membership, with approval typically in 3-5 days. Clear+ membership costs $209 annually and uses biometrics to verify identity before bringing members to the front of the TSA line. Clear+ is available at 59 airports, while TSA PreCheck is at over 200 airports. Clear+ does not require a background check and offers faster enrollment than TSA PreCheck.
Many aviation officials have called on Congress to fund DHS or pay TSA workers in the interim. In January, a bipartisan group of 16 House members introduced legislation to guarantee federal employees get paid during shutdowns. Similar legislation has been debated in the Senate but none have become law. Congress is facing mounting pressure to fund DHS and end the shutdown as flight delays and security lines worsen nationwide.
President Trump said he would deploy ICE officers to airports to help manage the strain, drawing pushback from Democrats.
The app MyTSA saw a surge in downloads earlier this month but its usefulness is limited due to the funding lapse. Interest in MyTSA has dwindled since mid-March, while Clear's downloads are still accelerating.
Clear recently partnered with TSA to debut new electronic security gates using biometric technology without a human operator.
Clear recommends travelers check with their local airport for the latest updates.
The DHS shutdown has lasted more than a month, with Democrats refusing to fund without immigration changes and Republicans rejecting those demands.