There are differing opinions among students who traveled during spring break about airport security, or TSA. TSA stands for Transportation Security Administration, and for 2026, they have compiled a few new rules.
These new rules took effect February 1, 2026, and those without a valid ID must pay a $45 fee to use the TSA verification system, along with other enforced rules on bag size. TSA not only added new rules but also abolished the requirement to take off your shoes at the airport scanners.
“Some things I agree with, like bringing hazardous items that get confiscated,” sophomore Alaja Defoe Love said. “But the bottles being limited to a certain number, and if they go over, they have to go in a checked bag, was annoying.”
Oftentimes, when people go through TSA, they can agree that it can be a very stressful experience. Over spring break, the band and choir took a trip to Italy, and two members of the PHS Band experienced the TSA treatment firsthand.
“TSA was a little stressful in different places,” Defoe Love said. “Depending on where you were, it sometimes took a while.”
Whenever going through airport security, there can be room for a lot of confusion. There aren’t many signs giving directions on the rules, not to mention that the lines are very lengthy and can take up a lot of time.
“The worst part of going through TSA would be that they were not always clear on their instructions,” sophomore Rylan Gillett said. “Then [TSA workers] would get mad when you made a mistake.”
Not only does the wait pose a challenge to traveling, but there are many other obstacles that come when going in and out of the airport.
“The max time I believe I had to wait was 20 minutes,” Gillett said. “So not too long compared to what I had imagined.”
TSA workers have been leaving due to low wages or no wages, and high turnover rates increasing. This could be why going through airport security is slow.
“My experience was good,” senior Averie Warner said. “It was very normal, like any other time I’ve been at the airport. It was quick and smooth. I noticed there weren’t as many TSA workers there as I have seen in the past, but it was still good.”
Many people have noticed that TSA workers have been checking passports more thoroughly because of the new rule requiring a valid ID.
“I was in security while there were very few in the airport,” senior Frida Klarskov Reksten said. “So I didn’t really feel the stress many people talk about. I did see how they took an extra glance at everybody when they showed their passports, though, longer than they did before.”
