TSA Checkpoints at EP International

lines at the airport, especially when trying to catch an early flight. so when a borderland traveler told us passengers were having to wait for the t-s-a checkpoint to open in time to make 5 a-m flights, we decided to check it out. abc-7’s darren hunt is live with a story … you’ll see only on abc-7 … darren. bob and estela, t-s-a tells passengers to arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance for domestic flights and three hours in advance for international flights. so imagine their surprise when they arrive for a flight that’s set to take off shortly after 5 a-m and they find the t-s-a checkpoint is not open until 4 a-m or even later here in el paso. this is video of long lines approaching the t- s-a checkpoint in el paso last week just after 4 a-m. a t-s-a spokeperson assured us, they do check passenger loads ahead of time and will adjust that start time forward or back, depending on the number of people they are expecting. i was told the average wait time in el paso between 4 and 5 a-m since may has been a little over six and a half minutes. when i asked why t-s-a is telling passengers to be there two hours early when t- s-a doesn’t open until 4 a-m, this is what a t-s-a spokesperson told me today: “t-s-a does say in all it statements arrive up to two hours in advance. but for a 5 a-m flight, we tell people to get there an hour and a half early since ticket counters don’t open until 3:30 a-m.” t-s-a also told me every shift starts with a briefing for employees. that’s why the line doesn’t move until a few minutes after 4 a-m. i asked if they would consider pushing their start time forward to 3-30 … and was told it could change depending on passenger volumes – but not at this point. estela. it’s not just long waits in security