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The Reality of Long TSA Lines Come to Light With Hashtag #IHateTheWait
As summer approaches, many people will be taking to the air for various trips and vacations, but what used to be an ordinary affair has turned into a nightmare as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is failing to check people through security in a timely manner.
Angry travelers have taken to Twitter to post their frustrations as they wait on lines taking hours, resulting in missed flights.
Airlines for America, an airline trade association, created the hashtag #iHatetheWait to encourage flyers to tell their stories and vent. The hashtag has since gone viral with people posting pictures and tales of woe from airports across America.
I'm walking everywhere from now on. #ohare #iHateTheWait pic.twitter.com/4iOTAWNKHa
— jason pearl (@jsonperl) May 16, 2016
Some airports have even gone so far as to hire entertainment to assuage the situation.
The San Diego International Airport hired clowns, yes, clowns to try and cheer people up.
WATCH: Airports are offering clowns, mini therapy horses, snacks and more to calm anger over long TSA lines. https://t.co/dDiIdc2oKy
— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 17, 2016
The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport ushered in mini therapy horses.
Excited to have our therapy ponies back! Just in time for derby wkend ? #KentuckyDerby #KentuckyOaks @KentuckyDerby pic.twitter.com/FTh19eYhgb
— CVG Airport (@CVGairport) May 6, 2016
Although, despite best attempts, people are still pretty pissed at airports.
https://twitter.com/ComradeEadweard/status/732980183938961409
According to the Telegraph, the TSA blames budget cuts and an increase in people traveling, but passengers blame the fact that there are more carry-ons due to increased fees in checked luggage (which, to be honest, is not the TSA’s fault).
Airlines charge large fees for baggage -> more carry-ons -> backing up x-ray machines. What % of fees help pay for that? #iHateTheWait
— scott slomiany (@doho123) May 17, 2016
The TSA has agreed to hire 800 new screeners by June, but the union that represents workers say they will need 6,000 new workers to make a difference in security lines, according to the Daily Mail.
I guess, until then, people will just have to arrive at airports days early and enjoy clowns and ponies while they wait.
My bed for the night, thanks to 2+ hours in line for security & not able to get on 3 flights. @AskTSA #iHateTheWait pic.twitter.com/X796SHM4aQ
— Ariel Sara (@TheArielSara) May 16, 2016
@askTSA #iHateTheWait TKU for ruining my Mothers Day:, intolerable lines even when the airport isnt busy!!!! pic.twitter.com/Wjyt51QP28
— Anne Arjani (@AnneArjani) May 8, 2016
One of the lines I got to skip today in LAX thanks to Global Entry & TSA Pre-check #iHateTheWait pic.twitter.com/vAUd4QUxLI
— Tara Lee Tarkington (@taraleedarling) May 13, 2016