CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Transportation Security Administration officials at the Charlotte airport switched around several security checkpoint lanes Monday morning, shuffling passengers in an effort to reduce congestion.
Channel 9 reporter Joe Bruno was monitoring the lines, and said they were not very easy to navigate early Monday morning.
He timed one passenger who spent more than 30 minutes in line to get through the checkpoint.
More than 20 workers of a staffing agency started Monday to help TSA, and there are also new locations for the priority and TSA pre-check lanes to try to reduce the wait time for customers.
These changes come as Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson is launching a 10-point plan to cut back on TSA issues.
Around 20 Prospect Airport Services workers have been hired to help TSA at CLT. First day for many today @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/I1Yf74z0UM
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) May 16, 2016
Across the country, passengers have complained of long security lines, causing flights to be delayed and passengers to miss flights.
The new plan calls for hiring more officers, deploying additional K-9 teams and reducing the size and number of carry-on luggage.
Passengers Channel 9 spoke with said they are happy to see changes but still want security to be a priority.
“That's very key, especially how everything is these days,” said Emily Sisk.
“Don't want to get security light, you just want to get in faster,” added Chris Pallone.
Despite the long wait times, Johnson said safety will remain the top priority.
“We're not going to compromise aviation security in the face of this,” said Johnson. “We will not compromise aviation security in the face of characterizations of this as a national crisis."
Seeing long lines early at CLT. Monday is always busy. At 5:30 the new plan from TSA to reduce wait times @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/FScXIZanU7
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) May 16, 2016
Johnson is also encouraging people to sign up for TSA pre-check, where 300 people can be screened in an hour -- twice as many as standard lanes.
It costs $85 to join TSA pre-check for five years and once you join, you can get into a different security line and you don’t have to take off your shoes or belt.
You can also keep your laptops and liquids in your luggage.
Find out more about TSA pre-check here.
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