Fixing Airport Security: The Case for a Private Alternative

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has become synonymous with frustration and inefficiency in American airport security. Its reputation was cemented during the 2019 government shutdown, when wait times at security checkpoints skyrocketed to unprecedented levels. This crisis is not just a symptom of a one-time event – it’s a symptom of a deeper structural problem that has been festering within the TSA for decades.

At its inception in 2001, the TSA was hailed as a revolutionary solution to the post-9/11 security landscape. Its mandate was to bring federal uniformity to airport security, and it succeeded in creating a standardized system that eliminated the patchwork of state and local regulations that previously governed airport safety. However, over time, the TSA has grown into a bloated bureaucracy plagued by high employee turnover, inconsistent performance, and mounting costs.

One promising alternative to the TSA’s failures is the Screening Partnership Program (SPP), established in 2004. This program allows airports to hire private screeners certified by the TSA rather than relying on federal employees. Notably, SPP airports have successfully operated at 20 locations across the country, including San Francisco and Kansas City – and their security lines have moved smoothly as a result.

During the government shutdown, SPP airports continued to operate normally with no disruptions in salaries or services. Private contractors are better equipped to adapt quickly to changing passenger volumes, reducing wait times and improving overall efficiency. Airport administrators have noted that private screeners can be hired on short notice and are motivated by profit rather than bureaucratic inertia.

The SPP is not only a more efficient way of doing things – it’s also cost-effective. Multiple studies have shown that private screening can be performed at comparable or lower cost than federal screening, thanks to the competitive pressures of the marketplace. Despite these advantages, only a handful of airports have joined the SPP.

A major obstacle holding back airport participation is the lengthy review process required by the TSA before an airport can join the SPP. This process can take months or even years, during which time airports are forced to continue operating with the inefficient federal screening system. The Trump Administration’s proposed budget for 2027 includes a provision to extend the SPP to all small airports – but this is just a starting point.

A fundamental overhaul of the application process is needed, with clear timelines and firm approval standards. Airports should be given greater flexibility to customize their screening operations according to their unique needs and circumstances. Critics have argued that privatizing security compromises safety, but the evidence suggests otherwise. The SPP has been operating for over 20 years without incident, and its private screeners are subject to the same rigorous standards as federal employees.

Studies have shown that private screening can actually improve security by allowing airports to better tailor their operations to local conditions. With the SPP serving as a model, Congress should take a hard look at the TSA’s bloated bureaucracy and see where reforms are needed. The application process should be streamlined, and airports given more control over their security operations.

The stakes are high, but the reward is worth it. By fixing airport security, we can create a safer, more efficient, and more effective system that serves all passengers equally well. With the SPP as our guide, there’s no reason why we can’t get it right.