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Long Lines Wreak Havoc At Airport Security Checkpoints

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Travelers better pack some patience. Long lines are wreaking havoc at airport security checkpoints across the country---including here in Maryland---and it's not even summer yet!

Ava-joye Burnett reports passengers are fed up as the TSA scrambles to fix the problem.

The airports in our region are unfortunately not exempt from the long lines. There's only one thing you can do: show up early.

Hustling through airports just got even more stressful. Across the nation, the main culprit: long lines and not enough TSA agents. Passengers are turning to social media to vent, using the hashtag "I hate the wait."

"Long waits and you have to take your shoes off, take your laptop...you gotta break the whole thing down," said traveler Devon Casey.

At BWI, the wait is a problem complicated by the airport's popularity. It's seen eight straight months of record growth.

"Parking is great here and much simpler than, say, going to DC. I much prefer coming up here from Silver Spring than going down to Dulles," said Ellen Edge.

We checked in with the TSA and there are a number of reasons why the lines are now much longer. For example, tougher security screenings are now in place.

"We have developed a 10-point plan that will keep passengers moving and, most importantly, keep passengers safe," said Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson.

That plan includes hiring more TSA agents, adding K9s for security screenings and encouraging travelers to sign up for TSA precheck.

"I've had a lot of pre-checks so I get to bypass the longest lines," said Van Taylor.

As the TSA works to cut long lines, other problems are popping up. In Phoenix on Friday, passengers had to take off without their luggage. A computer glitch made it impossible to screen thousands of bags.

As the busy summer travel months approach, the frustrations could get even worse so the best advice is to show up early.

"I am here two hours early. Two hours before my flight, I make sure that I arrive," said one traveler.

Right now, BWI is building a new security checkpoint to accommodate more passengers. That should be ready late this year.

Friday, the Homeland Security secretary announced effective immediately, overtime will be used for agents to meet the demands for airport screenings.

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