Long TSA lines snake through Atlanta airport

ATLANTA — Travelers faced a rough Monday morning at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport as security wait times climbed to over an hour.

People took to social media to post photos of the line snaking through the main security area and into baggage claim.

Channel 2’s Steve Gehlbach reported lines were over an hour long. Some travelers tweeted saying the lines were longer.

The south security checkpoint has been closed for a redesign to speed up the screening process.

Trending stories:

• Florida woman taken to hospital with shark attached to arm
• Woman sells 'housebroken' bison she let wander inside
• 'The Wire' actor Wendell Pierce arrested at Atlanta hotel

The airport recommends travelers arrive two to three hours early if flying, especially on high-traffic days like Monday.

"Oh my God. I don't know if I'm going to make it because I have exactly one hour before my flight," said one traveler.

With long lines at security checkpoints around the country, Homeland Security is trying to encourage fliers to sign up for TSA PreCheck.

Channel 2 Action News learned that an average of more than 9,000 people a day were paying $85 to sign up for the expedited screening last week, which is more than double the number this time last year.

“I think the secret is getting out,” U.S. Travel Association spokesperson Johnathan Grella said.

More than 26 million fliers are now participating in PreCheck.

PreCheck is valid for five years and you can sign up online.

Delta and airport officials passed out snacks and water to those waiting in the lines Monday morning.

Gehlbach said the wait times dropped dramatically around 9:30 a.m.

The south security checkpoint is expected to reopen on May 24.

Cox Media Group