Long lines continue to cause headaches for travelers flying out of New Orleans International Airport. Those lines are the result of a TSA sickout stemming from the partial federal government shutdown, but MSY officials say things are better today than yesterday.
"(We have) 15 lanes at the checkpoint. Today, we have eight open," airport deputy director Erin Burns said to WWL's Tommy Tucker on Monday.
That's two more TSA lanes than were open on Sunday. Still, with seven checkpoint lanes closed, Burns says lines stretched into the parking garage for a second day in a row.
"Lines were pretty long again this morning," Burns said of the Monday morning rush. "We've got staff on hand that's helping to keep the lines organized and keep them moving as efficiently as possible."
According to Burns, lines diminished following the morning rush, but airport officials are expecting more delays in the afternoon and throughout the week.
"They're not quite as long as they were this morning, but that could change as flights pick up throughout the day," Burns said. "The line is going to fluctuate, we think."
Burns says airport employees, Jefferson Parish sheriff's deputies, and even the airport's parking operators have been doing their best to keep passengers calm and informed of what's going on.
"A lot of people have been all hands on deck yesterday trying to help out," Burns said. "We've had our employees there answering questions, and the passengers have been, for the most part, very understanding and patient. So we just ask them to continue to be as we navigate this issue."
According to Burns, flyers need to give themselves ample time to get through these lines and to their terminals.
"Plan to arrive at the airport early, at least three hours before your scheduled departure," Burns said.
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