Airport Alert: Status Update About TSA PreCheck Lanes
February 22, 2026
This morning, TSA held a call with AAAE and other aviation industry associations to provide additional information about DHS’ announcement that they were closing PreCheck lanes as of 6 a.m. ET today.
TSA leadership provided the following update:
- TSA will continue to operate PreCheck security lanes at airports as long as they have the staff available to do so at each airport.
- TSA will provide advance notice when they need to shut down these PreCheck lanes and move all travelers to standard security lanes.
- Both CLEAR and the airlines’ PreCheck Touchless ID programs are not impacted yet.
- Known crew member lanes will continue to operate as usual.
TSA leadership stressed that this information is very “fluid” and can change at any time. AAAE staff will keep you updated as we learn more.
As we reported earlier, in an early morning press release, the Department of Homeland Security announced that effective 6 am Eastern, it has closed all TSA PreCheck lanes, eliminated courtesy escorts, and halted all Global Entry arrival processing at participating airports. The specifics from the release regarding TSA and CBP are below.
In its release, the Department points to the ongoing federal shutdown, which it blames on congressional Democrats. AAAE received no advance warning of the action. We are seeking additional details and will relay any additional information we receive.
TSA
As the Transportation Security Administration enters emergency operating status, resources are being consolidated to prioritize essential security operations and focus personnel on detecting and countering threats. Effective at 6:00 a.m. on February 22, nonessential privileges and courtesies provided by TSA will cease.
As a result:
- TSA PreCheck lanes will be closed. All TSA PreCheck members will be directed to general screening lanes to maintain our security standards and consolidate TSA’s limited personnel and resources.
- All courtesy escorts, including for members of Congress, will cease. These escorts put increased strain on our officers, who must be allowed to prioritize their critical work of screening passengers.
Operations at all airports will prioritize screening of the general traveling population. Without appropriations, TSA simply cannot afford to risk overstretching our staff and weakening our security posture. Until funding is restored, all travelers should expect a process that does not sacrifice security, but refocuses TSA officers to standard screening procedures. TSA PreCheck and other services will resume upon Department of Homeland Security funding being signed into law.
CBP
As of 6:00 am on February 22, 2026 U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations will halt all Global Entry arrival processing at participating airports.
- Officers assigned to process Global Entry travelers will be re-assigned to process all other arriving travelers.
- U.S. citizens and lawful permanent resident Global Entry Members can proceed to the properly marked primary processing lanes for arriving U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. All other Global Entry members can proceed to the properly marked visitor lanes.
CBP will also be suspending requests for port courtesies for members of Congress at all ports of entry to include escorts and tours in order for personnel to be reassigned to essential border security operations.
Stay tuned for further updates. As always, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need any additional information.
