Lafayette Airport Seeks TSA’s Help With Long Security Lines

If you've flown through the Lafayette Regional Airport on an early flight over the last several months you have probably been stuck in crazy long security screening lines. It has been the fodder of many social media posts.

Something may be done to resolve these issues soon.

The Lafayette Airport Commission, along with Congressman Clay Higgins, is seeking assistance from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in finding a solution to long security lines at the airport.

Members of the Commission and Lafayette Airport's Executive Director Steven Picou reached out to Congressman Higgins to request his assistance with TSA lines that have caused some passengers to miss flights.

According to Picou, the Lafayette Regional Airport has seen an increase of 25,000 passengers over the first 9 months when compared to the same time period in 2017.

“It is great to have so many people flying from the Lafayette Regional Airport and the lines are reflective of our airport’s success,” said Lafayette Airport Commission Chair Valerie Garrett, “but when that success results in unacceptable delays in security checkpoint lines we need TSA to help find a solution.”

"TSA is charged with facilitating safe travel," said Congressman Higgins. "When the security screening process delays travelers or, worse, causes travelers to miss their outbound flights from Lafayette and their connecting flights, changes need to be made. I have requested TSA to address the security checkpoint process at the Lafayette Regional Airport. I travel very regularly through the Lafayette Airport and the team there is quite professionally dedicated to getting all travelers safely onto flights. I stand in the lines just like everyone else. TSA Officers have a difficult job to do and my personal experience is that they get it done. However, in Lafayette, the Department of Homeland Security could expedite an additional security lane or added staff during peak hours and that’s what we’re pushing for.”

No other details were provided regarding the request made by the aforementioned parties. For travelers, let's hope that help is on the way soon.