10 Things You Can Do While Waiting in the TSA Line
For more than 40 days and nights, the US Congress has not reached an agreement that would revive the salaries of many employees of the Department of Homeland Security. The evidence is everywhere at airports across the country, in the form of hours-long waits to get through security.
Transportation Security Administration workers have been forced to call in as they struggle to pay for gas, rent, child care and groceries, according to officials with the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents some 47,000 TSA agents. Nearly 12 percent of agents called Thursday, compared to the usual average of 4 percent.
On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing DHS to pay TSA workers; The department said employees could see their paychecks “as early as Monday,” although union representatives said it could take more than a week for officers to receive their back pay. (Congress still hasn’t voted to fund the department and fully reopen the government.) But it’s unclear whether airports can avoid disaster over the upcoming spring break weekend. Record long queues still snake around some of the country’s largest airports.
So if you’re flying, show up early and be prepared to wait. Emphasize “prepare.” WIRED has some particularly WIRED ideas for passing the time.
Consider TSA PreCheck
Photograph: The Washington Post/Getty Images
Think of a line as a kind of ritual liminal space, a threshold specially designed for contemplation. Maybe think about your mistakes. Top of the list: Do not sign up for TSA PreCheck. If you’re already in line, it’s too late right now, but it doesn’t always have to be that way. Those who can pay the $80 fee – good for five years – receive expedited boarding, and therefore the right to stand in the security lines that seem to be moving most quickly at the moment. The online registration process only takes a few minutes. What a great way to save time!
Applicants must then register for (or attend) 10-minute in-person document verification meetings at local registration centers, located everywhere from airports to local Office Depot and Staples locations. After that, actual registration can take three to 60 days, the TSA says.
Read WIRED
You are already there! Nose around. Check out our latest magazine, The War Machine, which examines how technology has changed the way the world fights and then attempts to recover. Or head over to the Gear homepage to see the latest gadget news and gadget trends. If you’re feeling more nostalgic, check out this list of some of WIRED’s best stories from the last 30 years.
Breathe easily
Just because you’re nice and calm right now doesn’t mean everyone around you is acting the same way. Escape with some deep breathing, your headphones, and maybe a meditation app. Some options are here.
While you got those headphones out
Activate a podcast! WIRED just updated its list of the best. Top tech and science related recommendations include Flesh and codeon the dark side of AI love; Your full attentiona module hosted by tech industry veterans about the downsides of online life and how we could improve it; And Ologieswho delights in taking listeners down various scientific rabbit holes. Oh, and Uncanny ValleyWIRED’s insider look at the people, power and influence of Silicon Valley.
Organize your photos
Is your photo folder a hellscape? Us too. What a good time to tackle the task of removing what no longer serves you. Going through images one at a time is always an option, but WIRED also tested (and liked!) two apps to help phone users declutter. Rodeo organizes screenshots by location and helps you organize reminders and lists to share with friends and family. Swipewipe is the Tinder for photos: just swipe left to permanently delete pictures from your phone.
Finally discover how to solve a Rubik’s Cube
Photo: Getty Images
This one requires some thought, but a Rubik’s Cube might be the perfect waiting companion. No flailing limbs, loud noises, or even screens. It’s just you, your fingers, and pure geometric logic. Here is our step-by-step guide.
Listen late to the gospel of Horizon Worlds (on mobile!)
Meta’s Horizon Worlds is going through a strange time, as the tech giant moves away from its (titular) Metaverse and its bets on VR to focus on AI. After announcing that Horizon Worlds would end in VR, Meta reversed course a day later. Either way: it’s definitely available on mobile! Visit a comedy club! Make friends! Avoid children (unless you are a child yourself)!
Skiing (digital)
There are many mobile gaming options. WIRED Senior Editor Jeremy White particularly likes Grand Mountain Adventure and Grand Mountain Adventure 2 (Android, iOS), open-world skiing and snowboarding games that take you to the most beautiful mountains and ski resorts to cliff jump, slalom, or even take a backcountry cruise. We have more mobile game recommendations here.
Think about the line
Photography: Vital Images/Getty Images
If you prefer to spend your time contemplating the world in front of you, there may never have been a better time to learn more about the theory behind perfect lineups. There’s a whole cottage industry of citizen science consultants and scientists working on math and psychology to find the most effective way to get a group of people from here to there. Learn more here, then think about how your own airport could improve this situation.
Disavowing the Airport Theory
Last year, TikTokers fell in love with the “airport theory,” the idea that life could be better (?) and more relaxing (??) if travelers arrived at the airport as late as possible and went straight through security to the boarding line. It gives us angina and, look around you! This seems like a really bad idea right now. Here are more airport tips to consider on your next trip, hopefully after Congress decides to pay federal employees for their work.
