Long Security Lines Plague LaGuardia Airport

Shutdown of Department of Homeland Security exacerbates wait times at TSA checkpoints

Mar. 28, 2026 at 12:15am

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Travelers at New York's LaGuardia Airport faced record-long security lines on March 27, 2026, with some wait times exceeding four hours. The prolonged shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has severely impacted staffing at the Transportation Security Administration, leading to the longest checkpoint delays in the 24-year history of the agency.

Why it matters

The TSA shutdown has disrupted air travel nationwide, with major airports like LaGuardia seeing a breakdown in security operations. This has caused significant inconvenience and frustration for passengers, raising concerns about the impact on the economy and the ability of the government to respond to potential security threats.

The details

According to a senior official, the security lines at LaGuardia Airport on March 27th were the longest ever recorded, with some travelers waiting over four hours to clear the TSA checkpoints. The extended shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has severely impacted staffing levels at the TSA, leading to the agency's inability to maintain normal security operations at major airports across the country.

  • The security lines at LaGuardia Airport were the longest ever recorded on March 27, 2026.

The players

Transportation Security Administration

The federal agency responsible for airport security in the United States, which has been severely impacted by the prolonged Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

Department of Homeland Security

The federal department that oversees the Transportation Security Administration, which has been shut down for an extended period, leading to staffing shortages and disruptions in airport security operations.

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What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration are working to address the staffing shortages and restore normal security operations at airports across the country.

The takeaway

The extended shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has had a significant impact on the ability of the Transportation Security Administration to maintain effective security checkpoints at major airports like LaGuardia. This has caused major disruptions and inconvenience for travelers, raising concerns about the broader implications for the economy and national security.