The TSA Checkpoint Philadelphia Closure began on November 5, 2025, when the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) shut the Terminal A-West and Terminal F checkpoints. A second wave followed in March 2026, when the Terminal C checkpoint closed amid a partial government shutdown that left screeners working without pay.
Every gate remains reachable. You can still clear security at any open checkpoint and walk to your terminal. What changed is where you enter and how early you need to arrive.
Essential Facts
- Closed checkpoints: Terminal A-West and Terminal F closed on November 5, 2025. Terminal C closed on March 12, 2026, and a March 18 notice listed all three as temporarily closed.
- Cause: Staffing shortages tied to government shutdowns, which left TSA officers working without paychecks.
- Scale: PHL employs about 800 TSA agents, according to union official Joe Shuker, and some could not afford to report to work.
TSA Checkpoint Philadelphia Closure at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Airport | Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) |
| Agencies Involved | TSA, in collaboration with PHL and airline partners |
| First Closure Date | Wednesday, November 5, 2025 |
| Checkpoints Closed (Nov. 2025) | Terminal A-West, Terminal F |
| Terminal C Closure Reported | Thursday, March 12, 2026 |
| Checkpoints Closed (Mar. 18, 2026 Notice) | Terminal A-West, Terminal C, Terminal F |
| Primary Cause | Government shutdown staffing shortages |
| TSA Workforce at PHL | About 800 agents |
| Official Status | Described as temporary; no reopening date announced at the time |
| Gate Access | All terminals connected past security |
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Timeline of the Closures
The closures came in two distinct phases. Each one followed a funding lapse that hit TSA payroll directly.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 5, 2025 | TSA and PHL close the Terminal A-West and Terminal F checkpoints to optimize operations at A-East, B, C and D/E. |
| February 2026 | A partial government shutdown begins, affecting TSA staffing nationwide. |
| March 12, 2026 | The Terminal C checkpoint closes so other checkpoints can stay properly staffed. |
| March 18, 2026 | A checkpoint notice lists Terminal A-West, Terminal C and Terminal F as temporarily closed. |
| Mid-to-late April 2026 | Traveler reports describe lines closer to normal, with occasional spikes near 30 minutes. |
The official PHL checkpoint update described the first round as a joint decision with airline partners. According to 6abc, the March shutdown was the third to affect airports in six months.
Check the airport’s current checkpoint page before every trip, since status can shift with federal funding.
Why the Checkpoints Closed
The TSA Checkpoint Philadelphia Closure traces back to unpaid federal workers. When funding lapses, TSA officers must keep working without paychecks, and attendance drops as bills pile up. TRAVEL
Joe Shuker, vice president of AFGE Council 100 Region 7, told 6abc’s coverage of the Terminal C closure that some of PHL’s roughly 800 agents had taken second jobs or stayed home.
“Tomorrow, everybody is supposed to get paid, and that’ll be a zero check,” Shuker said.
“Imagine having to tell your boss I can’t come to work. I can’t afford gas, or I can’t pay my childcare, and I have to stay home with my kids,” he added.
A TSA spokesperson explained the agency’s approach in a statement:
“As staffing constraints arise, TSA evaluates on a case-by-case basis and adjusts operations accordingly.”
Key pressures behind the closures:
- Missed paychecks for TSA screeners during shutdowns
- Absences from officers who could not afford gas or childcare
- Consolidation of staff into fewer checkpoints to keep lines moving
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Where to Go Instead: Open Checkpoints and Hours
Each closed checkpoint has a matched alternative. Under this TSA Checkpoint Philadelphia Closure plan, you clear security at a nearby terminal and then walk to your gate.
| If You Fly From | Use This Checkpoint |
|---|---|
| Terminal A-West | Terminal A-East |
| Terminal C | Terminal B |
| Terminal F | Terminal D/E |
Open checkpoint hours (per the March 18, 2026 notice):
| Checkpoint | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal A-East | 4:15 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. | Stays open late for international travelers; PreCheck lane closes earlier, at 6:30 |
| Terminal B | 3:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. | Main alternative for Terminal C flyers |
| Terminal D/E | 3:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. | Main alternative for Terminal F flyers |
TSA PreCheck access was limited to the A-East and D/E checkpoints during the March closures. Before the March changes, Terminal C operated as a PreCheck-only checkpoint.
Confirm today’s hours on the PHL checkpoint hours page before you leave home.
Airlines and Terminals Affected
The closures hit both international and regional travelers. Terminal A-West serves as PHL’s main international terminal, while Terminal F handles regional and commuter flights.
| Terminal | Airlines and Amenities |
|---|---|
| Terminal A-West | British Airways, Lufthansa, Discover Airlines; British Airways Galleries Lounge, American Express Centurion Lounge |
| Terminal F | American Eagle (38 gates); American Airlines Admirals Club |
| Terminal C | Domestic flights served through the Terminal B checkpoint during closures |
Passengers on these carriers felt the TSA Checkpoint Philadelphia Closure most. Lounges and gates stayed open: only the security entrances closed.
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How Travelers Were Affected
The rerouting added steps for many passengers. Julia Bessen, traveling with her family, described the detour to 6abc:
“So we had to go outside, walk around, come to D. We’re going to try to get in through D, and then we’ll have to go back to C to walk to our gate.”
Not every experience was negative. Lauren, visiting from Madison, Wisconsin, said, “Last time I think I waited 2 hours, so 40 minutes this time is nothing.”
Reported traveler experiences:
- Longer walks between checkpoints and gates
- Early-morning backups when airline check-in lines fed into security
- Wait times from about 40 minutes during the March closures to roughly 30-minute spikes by April
How to Get Through PHL Security Without Missing Your Flight
A clear plan removes most of the stress. Follow these steps during any TSA Checkpoint Philadelphia Closure:
- Check checkpoint status on phl.org the night before and the morning of your flight.
- Arrive early: at least two hours for domestic flights and three hours for international flights.
- Head to the matched checkpoint for your terminal (A-East, B or D/E).
- Ask PHL staff on site for directions; the airport stations workers to guide travelers.
- Ride the free American Airlines shuttle between A-West, A-East, B, C and F if your gate is far away.
- Allow extra time for early flights, when airline check-in queues can slow security.
What Comes Next
The status of the TSA Checkpoint Philadelphia Closure depends on federal funding. PHL labeled each closure temporary, but it did not publish firm reopening dates when the changes took effect.
What to watch:
- Congressional funding decisions that determine TSA pay
- Official PHL announcements on checkpoint reopenings
- Holiday travel periods, when reduced staffing hits hardest
Bookmark the PHL checkpoint hours page and check it before every departure from Philadelphia.
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Is a staff writer covering community news, education, local events, and developing stories in the United States. She enjoys researching local topics and turning information from reliable sources into clear, reader-friendly articles. Her approach emphasizes accuracy, context, and practical information for readers.
