TSA lines stretch for hours at US airports amid partial government shutdown

Several US airports experienced hourslong TSA lines and delays on Sunday and Monday as spring break travel peaked and the Transportation Security Administration faced staffing shortages amid a partial government shutdown. Nearly 2.8 million passengers passed through TSA checkpoints on Sunday, making it the agency's busiest day since January 4.

Airlines warned travelers to arrive at least three hours before departure and some flights were delayed. Chris Fenton, who traveled through Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on Sunday, said, "Southwest texted me early that morning to expect up to 3-hour lines, so I left early," and added, "I never expected to see what I saw, though." He described lines that stretched from security checkpoints, down an escalator, and out to the parking garage, with waits through TSA PreCheck and Clear adding another 30 minutes; his total wait was about an hour, and he said passengers without TSA PreCheck might have waited twice as long.

United States, New Orleans

tsa, tsa lines, airports, government shutdown, staffing shortages, spring break, louis armstrong, new orleans, tsa precheck, flight delays