Previously, I discussed how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed intentions to discontinue TSA PreCheck and Global Entry due to the partial government shutdown. Now, there’s an update, which likely comes as no surprise.
In this post:
TSA PreCheck will remain operational after all, naturally
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a statement confirming that PreCheck checkpoints will not be closed after all. Instead, we are informed that these scenarios will be evaluated on an individual basis:
Currently, TSA PreCheck is functioning without changes for the traveling public. As staffing limitations occur, TSA will assess on a case by case basis and modify operations as necessary. Courtesy escorts, such as those for Members of Congress, have been suspended to enable officers to concentrate on the mission of protecting America’s skies.
There is no update yet on whether Global Entry is halted or not.
This policy was established and rescinded within hours
What accounts for such a high degree of incompetence?
You see, I began my post about the policy change with the following:
This doesn’t seem particularly rational, or like a successful political strategy… but perhaps it will be reversed within hours, similar to that shutdown at El Paso Airport (ELP)?
I was somewhat being sarcastic, but perhaps not entirely, because this is typically how these situations unfold. Reports indicate that airlines and the TSA were completely blindsided by this announcement, leading one to question how poorly thought out this idea was. Or let’s be frank, there’s no need to “question” here — this wasn’t even poorly thought out, that’s giving them too much credit.
You’ve got to appreciate those who supported this move. One of the OMAAT community’s most active commentators referred to this as “bargaining on a level most of us can never hope to achieve.” Indeed, fantastic job to President Trump and Secretary Noem for this remarkable accomplishment… talk about the art of the deal! Are we exhausted from “winning” yet, and of being the envy of the globe?
In summary
Great news… TSA PreCheck lanes aren’t closing after all. It turns out that if you expect to have a staffing shortage, extending the average time it takes to screen each traveler isn’t best practice. One genuinely has to question how this country even partially functions, when we have such incredibly foolish policies implemented, only to be reversed hours later.
Which Trump policy did you prefer — the one that enacted this rule, or the one that backtracked just hours later?