SMX TSA Wait Times — Santa Maria
Santa Maria Public Airport Captain G Allan Hancock Field. Live security wait times, updated every 10 minutes.
GateWaitTimes independently measures security waits at SMX, taking a reading every ten minutes around the clock. We have recorded 10,725 readings here since August 25, 2026, drawn from official TSA, airport, and FAA feeds.
Learn more about our data credibility & sources →SMX TSA Wait Times by Hour
This chart shows the average security wait at SMX for every hour of the day, so a taller bar means the line is usually longer at that time. The numbers come from our own readings, which we take every ten minutes around the clock.
The current wait time at SMX is 0 minutes, which is quieter than usual for a Wednesday, when the line usually runs around 6 minutes.
When Should You Leave?
Tap to pick your flight’s departure time
TSA PreCheck at SMX
PreCheck lane open right now
The TSA PreCheck lane at Santa Maria is usually the quickest way through security. Travelers keep shoes and belts on and leave laptops packed, so it moves faster than the standard lane. At a mid-size airport, PreCheck is typically concentrated at one or two checkpoints and may close during quieter stretches of the day.
The status above comes from the same feed as the wait time on this page. GateWaitTimes polls it every 10 minutes, around the clock. If the lane shows closed, standard screening is still open; recheck shortly before you leave in case staffing changes.
How Early Should You Arrive at SMX?
These are general guidelines for Santa Maria Public Airport Captain G Allan Hancock Field. Use the calculator above for a departure time tuned to the current wait, your drive, and whether you have PreCheck. Add time on peak travel mornings, around holidays, and if you're checking a bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the security line at Santa Maria (SMX) right now?
As of the latest measurement, the standard security wait at SMX is about 0 minutes. GateWaitTimes re-measures every 10 minutes, so check the live figure at the top of this page.
How early should I arrive at Santa Maria Public Airport Captain G Allan Hancock Field?
For a mid-size airport, arriving about 90 minutes before a domestic flight and 2.5 hours before an international flight is usually comfortable outside holiday peaks.
Does SMX have TSA PreCheck?
Most US airports of this size offer TSA PreCheck lanes at their main checkpoints, though lane hours vary by checkpoint and time of day. Check the checkpoint status on this page for which lanes are reporting, and the TSA site for official PreCheck lane hours.
How often is this wait-time data updated?
GateWaitTimes polls TSA wait-time feeds, FAA airport status, and National Weather Service forecasts every 10 minutes, around the clock, and records every reading.
Is TSA PreCheck open at SMX right now?
Yes — as of the latest reading, a TSA PreCheck lane is open at SMX. GateWaitTimes re-checks every 10 minutes.
About Security at Santa Maria Public Airport Captain G Allan Hancock Field
Santa Maria Public Airport Captain G Allan Hancock Field (SMX) serves Santa Maria, CA. It is a mid-sized airport where lines build around banks of departures rather than staying long all day, which shapes how the security line at Santa Maria behaves: expect the longest waits when several departures cluster in the same hour, and much shorter ones in between.
TSA PreCheck status at SMX is tracked live. The PreCheck section above shows whether a lane is open right now. PreCheck lanes usually move faster than standard screening, but they are not staffed at every hour, so check before counting on one.
The number above is a live reading for the standard lane, refreshed every few minutes. Security wait times can change quickly at SMX, so recheck this page shortly before you leave for the airport.