The New Orleans airport was plagued Sunday morning by security lines that stretched through multiple floors of the building and into the parking garage amid an apparent Transportation Security Administration sickout during a partial government shutdown that has left them to work without pay, The Times-Picayune confirmed.
Erin Burns, a spokesperson for the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, said a shortage of workers during the shutdown was causing “longer-than-average lines.” She did not, however, say whether TSA workers were on strike.
“Passengers with travel scheduled today are advised to arrive at least 3 hours before their scheduled departure to allow plenty of time to undergo security screening,” Burns said in a prepared statement.
Burns said airport staff were working to keep the lines organized and under control, and she said they would continue to coordinate with federal TSA partners through the shutdown. For the latest updates on flight status, Burns encouraged travelers to check directly with their airline.
Security lines stretch into the parking garage at the New Orleans airport on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
TSA employees are working without full pay amid a stalemate over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. It’s the second shutdown to impact the TSA since the country’s longest in history ended on Nov. 12.
Travel and aviation industry leaders last week urged Congress to end the shutdown, NPR reported, saying that TSA officers impacted by past shutdowns stayed home from work in greater numbers when they started missing paychecks.
“We’re going to see sickouts. We’re going to see screeners who love their jobs but are going to be forced to look for other jobs,” Todd Hauptli, the head of the American Association of Airport Executives, said, according to NPR. “TSA is going to do their very best to try and keep those lines moving, but they’re not going to sacrifice safety. And that means people should be prepared as this drags out for longer lines.”
TSA officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Security lines stretch into the parking garage at the New Orleans airport on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Despite the confusion and exasperation at MSY on Sunday, the security lines moved briskly as hundreds of travelers hauling rolling luggage and duffel bags weaved through the airport, following employees waiving red flags as Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies stationed near the escalators helped with the flow of pedestrian traffic. JPSO has a detail at the airport 24 hours a day, 365 days a year that includes traffic control whenever necessary, Capt. Jason Rivarde said.
Taking up the back of the line was Ben Brasch and a friend, who were headed home to Denver, Colorado. Still in the parking garage, Brasch said they’d already been waiting in line for 15 minutes, though he said it was moving surprisingly fast.
“I hope we make our flight,” he said.
Brasch was staying positive, though, and said he had a “zen-like” attitude to the realities of travel.
“But I feel bad for the MSY workers having to deal with this,” he said.
Daniel Kvarnberg, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was also homeward bound Sunday when he was greeted by unusually lengthy lines at the airport.
“I’m not stressed,” he said. “I’ve got a couple of hours, but I just wasn’t expecting this.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
