Long Transportation Security Administration lines around the country have passengers frustrated.
The problem is that over the past few years, the TSA has lost 5,000 agents, but the amount of passengers keeps increasing.
“Sometimes when we’re running behind, too, it seems that’s when the lines are the longest," passenger Bree Colbert said at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport on Saturday.
The TSA chief is promising changes and planning to hire 768 more screeners in the next month.
“I think I have to pay extra to sign up so I don’t have to wait in those long lines," passenger Sandra Scott said. And that’s what the TSA was hoping.
Enrollment in the $85-per year program has doubled in the last month.
“I try to use a little bit of common sense to streamline the process. Register for TSA pre-check. It makes the line go by quickly," passenger Janae Hill said.
The union representing TSA screeners said 6,000 more screeners need to be hired to be fully staffed.
According to travel experts, this summer’s travel season expects a record 231 million passengers this year.
“Would I like to see them streamline the process even further? Absolutely. Anything that's going to give me extra time, I’m appreciative of it," Hill said.
