MOLINE, Illinois —Arriving 2 hours before take off is a pretty safe rule to break at Quad City International Airport. The average wait time to get through security is thirty minutes according to TSA at the airport. Not bad compared to other parts of the country.
Danny Emerson was one of the 1,800 - 2,000 passengers who pass through MLI each day. He was traveling to Florida, connecting in Atlanta.
"We actually got a text last night to arrive 2-3 hours early just to get though check points. We might be safe, though, because we are going through internal checkpoints and not the main ones, so fingers crossed we will make our connection," said Emerson.
He pulled up a Snapchat from a friend with the time filter reading 4:08 a.m. in front of people waiting in security.
"I have a friend who sat in line for 4 hours yesterday at O'Hare, he got there 4 hours early and just made his flight."
An increase in travel nationwide and decrease in TSA agents isn't a good mix.
"We're having some issues nationwide at a select few airports those challenges have been well publicized," said John Hursey, TSA Federal Security Director.
Claire Lattner flew to the Quad Cities from Atlanta after visiting her daughter.
"I thought I was going to have to wait a long time so I thought I was going to miss my flight," said Lattner. "I've been to Atlanta quite a few times lately and I've never seen lines like I had before at the airport and they've got it all roped off all throughout the terminal."
Despite some horror stories of wait lines, Friday's lines seemed to be better.
"It turned out to be not a bad experience at all, but I think it's you gotta be prepared to get there early," said Lattner.
For Quad City International Airport, it's business and usual.
"Here it's super short I love it, it's 2 - 3 minutes you're through, parking is easy," said Bartose Bogucki, who was departing MLI for Atlanta.
Wait lines just depend on the time of day.
"Weekdays in the mornings, 6 to 8 o'clock with business travel will probably be pretty tight in Moline, but 11 a.m. on a Friday is pretty safe right now," said Emerson.