NEW ORLEANS — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will bring in 100 additional Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) and 65 additional K9 teams from across the country to assist with keeping New Orleans safe for this year’s Super Bowl. Also, Federal Air Marshal teams will conduct security operations and law enforcement deployments to critical transportation venues across the city.
TSA anticipates record-breaking travel volume at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) on Monday, Feb. 10.
“TSA is ready for Super Bowl travelers as we will have staff, innovative technology and a plan for addressing the higher travel volumes at MSY on Monday and Tuesday,” said Arden Hudson, TSA’s federal security director for the state of Louisiana. “We are also contributing resources toward enhanced security in transportation hubs in New Orleans. We appreciate the strategic partnerships across TSA as well as with local, state and other federal agencies to bolster security before, during and after the Super Bowl.”
TSA prepared by installing state-of-the-art screening technology and will bring in additional TSOs from TSA’s National Deployment teams as well as increasing the number of explosives detection K9 teams in the airport and downtown venues. The K9s will travel from across the country to New Orleans to assist local, state and national law enforcement teams.
The Department of Homeland Security designated the Super Bowl as a Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) Level 1 designated event, which is defined as a significant national event that requires extensive federal interagency support. TSA maintains multiple layers of security that are seen and unseen.
Here are a few things TSA is doing at MSY and to secure the Super Bowl:
TSA Coordination Center
The TSA Coordination Center in the New Orleans airport is the unseen nerve center for all local TSA operations. It operates 24/7 with three shifts of officers who maintain vigilance and communication across the transportation domain. They maintain situational awareness of possible security threats by gathering, analyzing and evaluating data inside and outside of the area.
The officers in the coordination center field passenger and stakeholder questions, and most of their work involves engagement with the TSA’s uniformed officers, security inspectors, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the state of Louisiana, airport leadership and TSA’s Transportation Security Operations Center (TSOC) in Herndon, Virginia. TSOC is TSA’s national coordination center for all TSA operations across all transportation venues, including surface transportation.
The MSY coordination center is equipped with closed circuit television monitors, allowing the officers to see the checkpoints in real time. During the management of incidents, coordination occurs with MSY leadership, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and any airlines that are involved.
Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service (LE/FAMS)
TSA’s Federal Air Marshals (FAMs) protect the nation’s transportation system and provide law enforcement augmentation within all modes of transportation, as well as in response to national security priorities. LE/FAMS proactively mitigates threats through an intelligence-driven approach within our nation's transportation systems.
LE/FAMS will be deploying FAMs to critical transportation venues where they will provide law enforcement and security support. Among the more noticeable layers of federal law enforcement security are our Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) operations. TSA uses a risk-based strategy to deploy in cooperation with local authorities.
VIPR operations enhance existing law enforcement and security resources throughout the transportation system during large public events to protect all modes of transportation by deterring and preventing terrorist activity.
TSA explosives detection canines
TSA’s explosives detection canine teams, some local, some from as far away as Honolulu and San Juan, will join teams from police departments from across the country. These explosives detection teams serve as a critical layer of security and will be working multiple venues throughout downtown New Orleans and at the Superdome. Canine teams are one of the most efficient means of detecting explosive substances. The teams are highly mobile and can be rapidly deployed in response to threats anywhere in the airport or other transportation environments to provide reliable explosives detection capabilities.
The canine program exemplifies TSA’s commitment to focusing resources on the greatest threat to transportation systems – explosives. This program exists to deter and detect the introduction of explosive devices into any of the nation’s transportation systems, including Amtrak®, buses, street cars, ferries and more.
TSA-certified canine teams are single purpose trained only to detect explosive materials. The teams play a vital role in the overall security posture of the transportation modes to which they are deployed. TSA’S teams will be among the security assets working to clear the Caesars Superdome, garages and perimeter before the spectators can enter the area on Sunday.
Return home travel tips
As the week winds down, TSA will be reminding travelers about new checkpoint technologies and travel tips for the most efficient passage through the airport.
Remember to pack game programs in carry-on baggage, as they may lead to false alarms and bag searches in checked baggage. Take the programs out and place them in a bin for quick screening.
TSA installed 11 automated security screening lanes (ASLs) with Computed Tomography (CT) scanners at the airport checkpoint to enhance security efficiency and decrease the amount of time travelers spend in the security screening lanes. Installation of the lanes began last year to be ready for the Super Bowl fans.
All items including carry-on suitcases must be placed in a bin while your electronics, 3-1-1 liquids, gels and aerosol compliant bags, and computers may remain inside your carry-ons as they go through the screening machines if you are in a screening lane with the new equipment.
Travelers have multiple ways to find out if an item is permitted in a carry-on bag. Download the free myTSA app, which has a handy “What can I bring?” feature that allows travelers to type in the item to find out if it can fly in carry-on or checked bags or neither. Alternatively, ask on Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers may also send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872). An automated virtual assistant is available 24/7 to answer commonly asked questions, and AskTSA staff are available 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET for more complicated questions. Travelers may also reach the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673. An automated service is available 24/7.
Passengers who need additional assistance through security screening may request a TSA Passenger Support Specialist (PSS). A PSS is a TSA officer who has received specialized training, including how to effectively assist and communicate with individuals with disabilities, medical conditions or those who need additional screening assistance. Individuals should request passenger assistance at least 72 hours in advance by contacting our TSA Cares passenger support line at (855) 787-2227. Live assistance is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, or weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
TSA also reminds travelers that starting on May 7, 2025, if they plan to use a state-issued ID or driver’s license to fly within the United States, make sure it is a REAL ID or another acceptable form of ID. Travelers who are not sure if they have a REAL ID can check with their state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. For questions on acceptable IDs, visit TSA’s web site.
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