TSA staffing shortages from government shutdown cause long lines at New Orleans airport.

Travelers at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport faced extended TSA security lines on March 8, with some queues stretching into the parking garage, due to a federal government shutdown that has disrupted staffing at the Transportation Security Administration. The shutdown, caused by a lack of budget agreement, has left many TSA employees unpaid, contributing to staffing shortages despite most being deemed essential. The airport advised passengers to arrive three hours early, as delays may worsen during peak travel season. No flight cancellations have been reported, but uncertainty remains about when conditions will improve.