subject: Airports Lose Right to Replace TSA Security by:Steve Robinson [print this page] Even with the ready availability of cheap fares, whether cheap airplane tickets or cheap vacation packages, some airports are concerned about how Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) staffing cuts and customer service issues may impact their traffic. Up until last week airports had the option of not using TSA security employees and instead hiring private security contractors.
TSA has decided not to allow any additional airports to opt out of using its security personnel because it did not see "any clear or substantial advantage to do so at this time."
Currently 16 airports have hired non TSA security employees. While these airports represent a relatively a small number of the 460 US commercial airports, several more airports were actively considering replacing TSA government workers.
The TSA came in existence after the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. Federal law has allowed airports the option of using private security contractors. These contractors are responsible for airport passenger screening and must follow TSA security rules and are under TSA supervision.
There is no plan at this time for TSA security personnel to take over at the 16 airports who are using private security screeners. TSA has said that it will continue to compare the effectiveness of federal vs. private screeners. Currently the performance of TSA employees and private screeners is comparable, according to TSA.
Missouri's Springfield Branson National Airport received a two sentence TSA memo last week stating that the airport's application to "opt out" of the federal passenger screening program had been denied. No explanation for this decision was given.
TSA's screener union applauded this decision saying "The nation is secure in the sense that the safety of our skies will not be left in the hands of the lowest bidder contractor, as it was before 9/11."
The President of the Airports Council International-North America says that his organization is against TSA's new position as is Representative John Mica, R-Fla.
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