New Orleans, United States – Video recorded by X user Matt Doll shows extremely long TSA security lines at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

Hundreds of early-morning travelers in casual attire stand shoulder-to-shoulder in densely packed queues that snake through the brightly lit terminal corridors, past pillars and windows, before spilling far into the adjacent multi-level parking garage amid concrete pillars, yellow bollards, and parked cars.

The footage, captured from within the crowd, pans across the chaotic scene, highlighting slow-moving lines as frustrated passengers check phones or shift in place under fluorescent lights.

This is the third consecutive Sunday of extreme delays caused by severe TSA staffing shortages, stemming from the ongoing partial U.S. government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security. Many agents have called out unpaid, resulting in reduced screening lanes—sometimes as few as two open—and PreCheck closures.

Airport officials urged passengers to arrive at least three hours early, warning that wait times could continue into Monday as similar disruptions affect other major hubs nationwide.

The post describing the situation stated: “I’m in New Orleans and flying out today. This is WILD. They are sending the line out into the parking garage. Estimated 2 – 3 hour TSA line right now. 4:30 AM on Sunday.”

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