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Minnesota man suing TSA, claims long lines caused him to miss his flight

<p>The Transportation Security Administration isn't taking its rough week lying down. After two major airports <a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/turns-out-airports-don-t-actually-like-the-tsa-either/" target="_blank">threatened to dump the agency</a> over the long lines it generates, the <a href="http://gizmodo.com/tsa-blames-passengers-for-long-lines-1776449158" target="_blank">TSA responded</a> by shifting the blame to unprepared travelers.</p><p>A statement noted, "Passenger preparedness can have a significant impact on wait times at security checkpoints nationwide." It also blamed staff cutbacks.</p><p>This week, travelers used <a href="http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-05-10/us-airlines-ask-travelers-to-post-photos-of-long-tsa-lines?mbid=social_twitter" target="_blank">#IHateTheWait</a> to document horrendous lines at airports in New York, Atlanta, San Francisco and other cities.</p><p>And Joseph Sitt, chairman of New York airport consumer advocacy group Global Gateway Alliance, said, "Blaming passengers won’t solve the problem of unconscionably long security lines at our airports. ... TSA needs to address the issue head-on to avoid a real crisis during the busy summer travel season."</p><p>Congress didn't go easy on the struggling agency, either. During a hearing Thursday, Florida Rep. <a href="http://www.ktvh.com/2016/05/tsa-hears-criticism-from-members-of-the-congress/" target="_blank">John Mica told TSA officials</a>: "You cannot recruit, you cannot train, you cannot retain, and you cannot administrate. It is just a huge, failing government program."</p><p>But Congress did approve the TSA's request to <a href="http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/morning-transportation/2016/05/tsa-warns-travelers-on-wait-times-and-eyes-additional-cash-thud-finally-gets-liftoff-thune-talks-takata-kind-of-214286" target="_blank">reallocate $34 million</a> of its budget toward cutting down wait times. The money reportedly will be spent on new hires and overtime pay.</p><p>The <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/13/aviation/tsa-long-lines-us-airports/" target="_blank">Department of Homeland Security said Friday</a> airports are always busier during the summer travel season. This year's crowds are expected to be worse than usual thanks to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/summer-cheap-flights-in-years_us_5729f16de4b0bc9cb045286f" target="_blank">unusually low ticket prices</a>.</p><p><i>This video includes images from Getty Images.</i></p>
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A man from Minneapolis is suing the Transportation Security Administration, claiming that the agency is responsible for him missing his flight.

According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Hooman Nikizad is suing the TSA and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport for $506.85 after a 90-minute line forced him to miss his flight to Los Angeles.

Nikizad claims that he arrived at the airport on March 19 two hours before his flight was scheduled to depart, as recommended by TSA. However, he claims that security staff was woefully understaffed and that only one body scanner was being used to service the lengthy line.

"I had to buy a ticket with another airline to be able to make my destination and meet my obligations … The (airport) and TSA have done a very poor job of getting passengers through security,” he said in the suit.

According to Yahoo, Nikizad is seeking compensation for his new plane ticket, additional “ground transport expenses” and the $75 court fee to file the lawsuit.

Security lines have grown significantly in the past few months, as airline tickets have dropped for the summer months. The TSA recently replaced its head of security in the wake of long lines, and some airlines have paid to develop their own more efficient security procedures in some aiports.

According to Nikizad’s lawsuit, TSA head Peter Neffenger has visited the Minneapolis St. Paul aiport just eight days before his missed flight and “promised ‘you’ll see some real improvements in the very coming days.”

Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.