US travelers face second day of long security lines at some airports

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, March 9 (Reuters) – Rising absences by Transportation Security Administration security officers caused a second straight day of longer-than-normal security lines, sparking worries from airlines as the busy spring break travel period ramps up.

For instance, Houston Hobby Airport on Monday reported lines averaging 3 hours at 2 p.m. EDT at standard checkpoints.

Funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapsed on February 13 after Congress failed to reach a deal on immigration enforcement reforms demanded by Democrats. That halted operational funding for several government agencies, including the TSA, resulting in about 50,000 TSA airport security screeners working without pay.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Mark Porter)