North Texas' two major airports are having record numbers of passengers this month, but they're also dealing with a growing number of complaints because of long security lines.

The Transportation Security Administration says there's a renewed emphasis on "rigorous screening" this year because of screeners at several airports around the country failed Department of Homeland Security pop-up security tests.

The rigorous screening processes combined with a rapid growth in airport passengers means very long lines, especially during spring break.

According to NBC5's news partners at The Dallas Morning News at a Dallas conference this week of big-city airport directors, Miguel Southwell, the aviation general manager of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, said there's a "crisis brewing" over outrageous security lines on some days.

The TSA budget for front-line security screeners hasn't gone up in several years, even though many airports have experienced double digit passenger growth this year.

The TSA points out that it is the lowest staffing levels in five years.

"It is very frustrating, especially when you make it up to the checkpoint and you see that they aren't working at full capacity. They have several checkpoints not operating – no one is manning them," said frequent flyer Julian Palmer at Dallas Love Field. Palmer flies on business trips twice month.

Love Field recently added more flights and more destinations since the end of the Wright Amendment – and that means more customers.

TSA statistics show Love Field has a 15-percent increase in March passengers over last year.

"On Friday, March 4, we had little less than 20,000 reservations," said airport spokesman Jose Torres. "The wait time to go through security was an average of 38 minutes."

"It's been very backed up this year," said Palmer, from the back of the security line. "It's usually pretty efficient, but the last few flights I've taken this year have taken 45 minutes to get through security, when normally that'd only be 10 or 15."

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is dealing with growing TSA lines by adding calming mood-lighting at some terminals and more furniture. Overhead monitors inform passengers of bad wait times.

"I definitely try and get to the airport earlier. I nearly missed my flight last time, so it is a bit of a problem," said flyer Cindy Christopher.

Still – even as complaints and frustrations grow – many customers are resigned that there's little they can do.

"I know it's necessary for our security, so I accept it," Christopher said. "They're out here doing a job to keep us safe."

The TSA in a statement said "the rise in checkpoint wait times is fueled in large part by the rapid growth in travel volume, which is up more than seven percent over just the last year."

TSA agents also say a big problem is people are carrying-on more bags than ever before, but they're over-capacity or filled with prohibited items, and the process of opening those bags up and re-inspecting them can take several minutes, holding up the line.

The TSA is requesting money for 300 additional screeners next fiscal year.