Air travel in the United States has ground to a near-halt this morning as a perfect storm of political gridlock and severe weather slams the nation. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially suspended TSA PreCheck and Global Entry services effective 6:00 AM ET today, February 22, 2026. This unprecedented move, caused by the ongoing government shutdown, coincides with the arrival of Winter Storm Hernando, which has already forced airlines to scrub thousands of flights. For DHS shutdown 2026 travelers, the situation at major hubs has rapidly deteriorated into what industry analysts are calling the worst travel day of the decade.
TSA PreCheck Suspended 2026: DHS Explains the Shutdown Freeze
As the partial government shutdown enters its second fraught week, the strain on federal resources has reached a breaking point. With thousands of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents working without pay or calling out sick—a phenomenon known as the "blue flu"—the DHS announced that it could no longer staff dedicated screening lanes. Consequently, TSA PreCheck suspended 2026 protocols were activated early this morning, forcing all passengers into general security queues.
"Effective immediately, all Trusted Traveler Programs, including TSA PreCheck and Global Entry processing, are paused until funding is restored," a DHS spokesperson stated in a brief press release. "We simply do not have the manpower to maintain separate expedited lanes while ensuring the primary safety of the traveling public."
Global Entry Shutdown Update
International arrivals are facing similar chaos. The Global Entry shutdown update affects all U.S. ports of entry. Automated kiosks have been powered down, requiring returning citizens to wait in standard customs lines. At JFK and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), reports indicate customs wait times exceeding four hours as skeleton crews struggle to process incoming flights.
Winter Storm Hernando Flight Cancellations Surge
Compounding the administrative disaster is Winter Storm Hernando, a massive low-pressure system currently burying the Midwest and Northeast in heavy snow and ice. As of 9:00 AM ET, Winter Storm Hernando flight cancellations have topped 2,900, with another 4,500 flights delayed. Major hubs including Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Denver International (DEN), and Detroit Metro (DTW) are operating at less than 30% capacity.
Meteorologists warn that the storm will shift toward the East Coast by this evening, likely causing further ground stops in New York and Boston. Airlines have issued broad travel waivers, but rebooking options are scarce due to the sheer volume of displaced passengers.
Government Shutdown Travel Impact: What to Expect at the Airport
The combined government shutdown travel impact and weather delays have created hazardous overcrowding in terminals. Without expedited screening, airport security wait times today have ballooned to historical highs. At Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), the general security line reportedly stretches into the baggage claim area, with wait times estimated at over 180 minutes.
Travelers attempting to navigate this chaos are advised to arrive at least four to five hours before their scheduled departure—if their flight is still operating. The suspension of PreCheck means that laptops and liquids must be removed from bags, and shoes must be taken off, further slowing down the already understaffed screening process.
Spring Break Travel Disruptions Loom Large
The timing could not be worse, as this weekend marks the unofficial start of the spring travel season for many universities. Spring break travel disruptions are expected to cascade into next week even if the storm clears, as the backlog of passengers will take days to clear. Unless Congress reaches a spending deal to reopen the government and restore TSA funding, the suspension of expedited screening services could persist through the peak travel month of March.
For now, passengers are urged to check their flight status constantly, download their airline's app for real-time updates, and pack patience. In the face of TSA PreCheck suspended 2026 realities and a severe winter storm, getting to your destination today will require extraordinary resilience.
