T.S.A. Plan to Speed Up Airport Lines

The Transportation Security Administration (T.S.A.) is significantly shifting its approach to airport security. The agency plans to reduce reliance on federal employees and increase the use of private security staff at more U.S. airports.

The recent government shutdowns have highlighted the challenges when T.S.A. agents remain unpaid for extended periods. This situation caused long lines, such as those seen at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. In response, the Atlanta City Council began studying the feasibility of a private screening model.

To manage this, T.S.A. is expanding the Screening Partnership Program, which allows private contractors to staff security checkpoints. They also introduced a new initiative called Gold+, a voluntary public-private screening arrangement.

Currently, twenty airports, including San Francisco International, are part of the Screening Partnership Program. During the last shutdown, airports without T.S.A. staff, like San Francisco, experienced shorter wait times, often around 10 minutes. In contrast, airports relying on T.S.A., such as Houston’s Hobby, saw lines extending outside terminals.

T.S.A. plans to allocate an additional $477 million to enable smaller airports to join this program. Their proposed budget suggests eliminating over 4,300 of their approximately 50,000 agents. This expansion also involves allowing private contractors to manage screening equipment at checkpoints.

The introduction of Gold+ aims to enhance collaboration with private sectors. Details remain limited, but T.S.A. announced to staff that the program will be implemented thoughtfully and in stages.

A document shared with T.S.A. leaders estimates the transition to Gold+ could take between seven to eleven months.