TSA wait times at O'Hare show significant variation depending on the time of day and security line type. Official alerts reported 83 minutes across all lines (Mon Mar 23, 2:16 PM), though this appears to reflect a mid-afternoon peak. Earlier the same morning, waits were much shorter at 25 minutes (Mon Mar 23, 8:10 AM), and by early morning conditions were described as "basically non-existent (Mon Mar 23, 8:35 AM)".
TSA PreCheck lines are dramatically faster. Travelers reported 5-7 minutes in Terminal 5 (Mon Mar 23, 1:19 PM and 12:08 PM), 5 minutes in Terminal 2 (Mon Mar 23, 8:36 PM), and 8:28–8:34 AM in a Clear + PreCheck line (Mon Mar 23, 10:01 AM). For general security lines, typical waits over the weekend ranged from 13-20 minutes (Sat Mar 21, 8:08 PM through Sun Mar 22, 2:58 PM).
Arrive at least 2 hours before departure if using standard security, particularly during afternoon hours. If you have TSA PreCheck or Clear, arrive 1 hour early — you'll likely clear security in under 10 minutes. Early morning departures (before 9 AM) show the shortest waits across all line types.
- General line: 3–180 min (16 data points)
- PreCheck: 30–30 min (1 data points)
04:40 PM
@HipposinTutus @publicpolicyman I’m sitting on a plane that just landed at Ohare from Ft Lauderdale. 15 minutes through TSA in Florida ⏱️ 15m
02:48 PM
BLUESKY (2↑)
If you're going to O'Hare, I saw no ICE presence this morning and TSA lines were quick. The airport itself is pretty busy with multiple other airports experiencing significant delays. None of the loun...
02:16 PM
(2↑)
⚠️ TSA Wait Times at Ohare International Airport (ORD) are longer than usual! Avg. across all lines: Current: 83 min Typical: 3 min Difference: +80 min Plan extra time for security screening. Check... ⏱️ 83m, 3m, 80m
02:09 PM
⚠️ TSA Wait Times at Ohare International Airport (ORD) are longer than usual! Avg. across all lines: Current: 83 min Typical: 4 min Difference: +79 min Plan extra time for security screening. Check... ⏱️ 83m, 4m, 79m
12:56 PM
(1↑)
@GavinNewsom @realDonaldTrump I’m at OHare it is literally a 5 minute wait to go through TSA and I thanked everyone of them for working without pay. ⏱️ 5m
10:57 AM
@SharylAttkisson i flew tsa precheck last week out of ohare, philly, and boston and the longest i waited was 30 min ⏱️ 30m
10:48 AM
@SoUnserious_ Atlanta has to many ratchet workers. All the other airlines have figured this out in two weeks. Atlanta still behind for obvious reasons Just left Chicago ohare yesterday. TSA took 20 m... ⏱️ 20m
10:01 AM
(1↑)
@catvielma @fly2ohare Wild. I’m at Ohare as well, got into Clear + TSA precheck line at 8:28 (no line) and through the screener by 8:34. Not bad at all.
08:47 AM
(1↑)
@basedseattle Got through Ohare two Saturdays ago in 15 minutes. Got through Orlando last Saturday in 10 minutes. Still trying to figure out how TSA agents missing paychecks causes long lines. Suspect... ⏱️ 15m, 10m
08:35 AM
TSA lines at ohare were basically non existent and no ICE in sight.
08:10 AM
(6↑)
⚠️ TSA Wait Times at Ohare International Airport (ORD) are longer than usual! Avg. across all lines: Current: 25 min Typical: 5 min Difference: +20 min Plan extra time for security screening. Check... ⏱️ 25m, 5m, 20m
11:45 PM
(7↑)
Indianapolis TSA taking like 15 minutes rn and people handing TSA agents gas cards and gift cards bc they arnt getting paid meanwhile ohare is like a 3 hour wait 👀👀👀👀 ⏱️ 15m, 180m