Free Republic

In a new statement, the TSA placed blame on passengers, claiming that individuals are at fault for showing up to checkpoints unprepared. “Individuals who come to the TSA checkpoint unprepared for a trip can have a negative impact on the time it takes to complete the screening process,” the agency said in a press release, which also included travel tips to help cut down on delays. The release also blamed the uptick in wait times on shrinking staff and a rise in travelers. Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, for instance, has seen an 8 percent rise in travelers since the start of

(excerpt) San Diego International Airport is sending in clowns from the Fern Street Circus to tickle the passengers’ funny bones, NBC reported. “They are creating content inspired by the traveler experience, so they will constantly be visible, trying out new ideas and interacting with passengers,” said airport spokesman Jonathan Heller. “We certainly think they will be at the checkpoints often, as people waiting in line are a great audience for them!”

Travelers flying out of Chicago just can’t catch a break. With increasingly long lines to get through security at the city’s airports, many travelers have been missing their flights, and some ended up sleeping at O’Hare International Airport on Sunday. American Airlines put out cots for fewer than 100 travelers who missed their flights Sunday night due to the long lines at TSA security checkpoints.