TSA issues shares very bad news for Labor Day travelers

If you are traveling on Labor Day, you are definitely not alone.

While the Vacationer's 2025 travel survey showed that overall, there would be 3% fewer people traveling this year than last year, Labor Day was the exception to the travel slowdown.

More than half of all Americans — 57% — plan to travel over the upcoming holiday weekend.

If you are one of the 148 million or so people who are headed somewhere over Labor Day, you need to be aware of an urgent TSA news alert so you don't end up having a problem with your trip.

The news alert was posted on Facebook on August 25, 2025, so travelers have time to read it and take action before heading to their destination.

Travelers can expect longer wait times on Labor Day.

Image source: Nick de la Torre/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

Labor Day travelers need to heed the TSA's warning

The Transportation Security Administration posted its urgent update with the tagline “NEWS ALERT.”

The agency went on to say, “TSA projects 17.4M individuals will travel this Labor Day holiday weekend from Thurs (8/28) through Wed (9/3). The highest volume day will be Friday with nearly 3M travelers expected to take to the skies.”

Since the TSA screens an average of around 2.4 million passengers per day, this is a significant increase in the number of people who will be passing through airport security in a single day and over a short period of time.

While the TSA has already seen some of the busiest days in its history in 2025, a surge in security traffic like this can inevitably make lines longer.

It could potentially even lead to passengers missing their flights if they are not prepared for the added airport traffic and don't come to the airport early enough to make it through security and get to their gate on time.

Be prepared for longer security lines, and make sure you understand the rules

Aside from getting to the airport earlier in case of longer lines, it's also a good idea to make sure you are in full compliance with TSA rules and regulations so you don't face additional delays when you get there.

Because of this, TSA also recommended on Facebook that passengers get the help they need to pass through security easily. The Facebook page read “NEWS ALERT: Have questions? Text ‘Travel' to AskTSA (275-872).”

TSA's recent rule change could help Labor Day security lines

While a surge of travelers inevitably means longer waits for Labor Day travelers, it's also worth noting that TSA rules have changed recently, which could help make getting through security a bit simpler and faster.

Specifically, passengers are now allowed to keep their shoes on when going through the security line, which can help streamline the process.

“Ending the ‘Shoes-Off’ policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation’s airports,” Secretary Noem said when the policy was announced. “We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience.”

Hopefully, the fact that this policy is now in effect will help to make it easier for TSA to get the crowds of holiday travelers through the airport efficiently.

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