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United Airlines has begun testing an airport security wait-time tracker at Dulles International Airport as the prolonged Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues to disrupt screening operations nationwide.
The airline added the Transportation Security Administration tracker to its mobile app Wednesday, April 1. The pilot provides updated estimates throughout the day to help passengers anticipate security lines and plan when to arrive.
Dulles is one of seven airports included in the initial rollout. The feature is also available to United passengers traveling through its hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark and San Francisco.
United, the largest carrier at Dulles, described the tracker as the first such feature offered by a major U.S. airline. The carrier is scheduled to expand its presence at the Northern Virginia airport later this year when a new concourse opens.
United Chief Information Officer Jason Birnbaum said travelers want reliable information about security lines while the shutdown continues. He also acknowledged TSA officers’ work during the funding lapse and noted that most had begun receiving back pay earlier in the week.
The tracker follows severe airport congestion in March, when waits reportedly reached four hours or longer at some locations. The DHS shutdown began Feb. 14 amid a congressional budget stalemate and has affected the TSA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, federal immigration agencies and other parts of the department.
TSA officers were required to remain on the job without pay. More than 450 reportedly resigned, while many other employees called out of work.
Lines began easing after President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing DHS to use funding appropriated under last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act to provide TSA officers with missed wages.
TSA employees told union leaders Monday that they had received part, but not all, of their back pay. Johnny Jones, secretary-treasurer of the TSA chapter of the American Federation of Government Employees, said the balance was expected by the following week. The union also reported payment errors, including omitted overtime.
Trump said Thursday that he planned another executive order covering all unpaid DHS employees during the partial shutdown, which had reached a record 49 days. Questions remained about how that plan would operate because Congress holds federal appropriations authority. The order was expected to include other non-law-enforcement personnel at FEMA, the Coast Guard and the federal agency overseeing cybersecurity coordination.
Congress remained at an impasse. House Republicans declined to consider a bipartisan Senate proposal that would finance most of DHS while leaving Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection unresolved.
Democratic leaders have sought conditions on ICE and CBP funding, including bans on masks and arrests at hospitals, while many Republicans have insisted that both agencies be included in any funding agreement.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota set aside a House Republican proposal to fund the department fully for 60 days. The House took no action on the Senate measure, although Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana indicated Wednesday that he was open to a two-step approach.
House Republicans discussed their options during a conference call Thursday. GOP leaders reportedly did not expect to recall lawmakers from spring recess before their scheduled return April 14.
United separately announced Friday that it was introducing tiered pricing for premium seats and raising most checked-bag fees by $10, citing higher jet-fuel costs associated with the war in the Middle East.
Passengers traveling within the United States or to Mexico, Canada and Latin America will pay $45 for a first checked bag and $55 for a second. United said it was its first bag-fee increase in two years.
Co-branded credit card holders, qualifying loyalty members, active-duty military personnel and premium-cabin travelers may still receive a free first checked bag. Passengers checking luggage less than 24 hours before departure will pay another $5.