'It's Maddening!' TSA Under Fire for Excessive Wait Times

Just before what's expected to be a record travel summer, the Transportation Security Administration is under enormous pressure to reduce airport security wait times. 

American Airlines estimates that 4,000 passengers have missed their flights at Chicago O'Hare International Airport since February, thanks to overly long wait times.  

Earlier this week, more than 400 people missed their planes after waiting hours in the TSA line. Many had to spend the night on airport cots.

"There's gotta be a better way," one disgruntled traveler said.
   
Both of Chicago's major airports - Midway and O'Hare - are telling passengers to arrive three hours early to ensure they make their flights.
   
Meanwhile, TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger is apologizing for the Chicago debacle.

"I don't know what that was. We're fixing that. That's a great concern to me," he said.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says the agency will soon be making changes at both airports.

"We are the busiest aviation city in the country and there are inadequate resources.  It's maddening and frustrating and it was all predictable and could've been dealt with months ago," Emmanuel said.
   
So why the wait times? Across the country, passenger volume is up by as much as 15 percent this year compared to last, while the number of screeners is down.
    
To combat the problem, TSA is rushing 50 new security officers to Chicago in the next few weeks and hoping to hire more than 6,000 new workers for the summer season.
   
Meanwhile, at least one Illinois lawmaker is calling on the TSA chief to resign if lines aren't shorter by Memorial Day.  

Airports in New York and Atlanta are threatening to privatize screening, although they would need TSA approval.
   
Other airports are simply finding ways to relieve passenger stress. They're bringing in musical performances, therapy dogs and miniature horses. They're even bringing in some clowns to keep passengers entertained during the excessively long waits.