MDW TSA Wait Times

Q: What is the current TSA wait time at MDW?

The current standard lane wait is approximately 15 minutes and PreCheck is approximately 5 minutes at Chicago Midway International (MDW). Source: Historical average.

Q: When are peak hours at MDW?

Peak hours at Chicago Midway International are typically 5–8 AM and 3–7 PM on weekdays; Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons are the worst of the week as leisure travelers dominate the schedule.

Chicago Midway International · Chicago, IL

Chicago's Southwest Airlines stronghold

Estimated Security Wait

EST.

Standard Lane

15min

TSA PreCheck

5min

Source: Historical average · Updated typical for this time

About security at MDW

Chicago Midway International is Southwest Airlines' second-busiest hub, processing over 20 million passengers per year through a compact single-terminal layout. Unlike O'Hare's sprawling multi-terminal setup, Midway's three security checkpoints (A, B, C) all feed the same concourses, making checkpoint choice more flexible.

Best time to arrive at MDW

Peak hours: 5–8 AM and 3–7 PM on weekdays; Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons are the worst of the week as leisure travelers dominate the schedule

Recommendation: Checkpoint A (near the main entrance) gets the longest lines because it's where most passengers head by default. Checkpoint C, located near the food court on the west side, is consistently the fastest — most travelers don't know it exists. Worth the extra 3-minute walk.

PreCheck tip: TSA PreCheck is available at all three checkpoints. Checkpoint B tends to have the shortest PreCheck queue during peak hours because it's the middle option that passengers bypass in favor of the main entrance.

Terminals: Single terminal → Concourses A, B, C

Typical wait times at MDW

Historical averages based on long-term data. Actual waits vary with season, day of week, and flight schedules.

Lane	Typical Wait
Standard Lane	15 min
TSA PreCheck	5 min

When should I leave home?

Calculate your departure time to MDW — includes current TSA wait, live traffic, and optional bag drop time.

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TSA Security Guides

→ How early should I arrive at the airport? → Is TSA PreCheck worth it? → Best and worst times to fly through major airports

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current TSA wait time at MDW?

Current standard lane wait is approximately 15 minutes, and PreCheck is approximately 5 minutes. Source: Historical average.

When is the best time to arrive at MDW?

Checkpoint A (near the main entrance) gets the longest lines because it's where most passengers head by default. Checkpoint C, located near the food court on the west side, is consistently the fastest — most travelers don't know it exists. Worth the extra 3-minute walk.

When are peak hours at MDW?

5–8 AM and 3–7 PM on weekdays; Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons are the worst of the week as leisure travelers dominate the schedule.

Is TSA PreCheck available at MDW?

TSA PreCheck is available at all three checkpoints. Checkpoint B tends to have the shortest PreCheck queue during peak hours because it's the middle option that passengers bypass in favor of the main entrance.