As spring break travel increases passenger traffic across the United States, some airports appear to be avoiding the longest security lines by using private screening contractors rather than federal Transportation Security Administration officers.
The contrast has drawn attention during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security funding lapse, which has forced many TSA employees to continue screening passengers without pay.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, TSA officers have remained on duty since the partial shutdown affecting DHS began in February after lawmakers failed to reach a funding agreement for the department.
Under the agency’s contingency plan, about 95% of TSA employees are classified as essential workers and must continue screening passengers and baggage at airports nationwide. Officials have warned that prolonged funding lapses can increase unscheduled absences among officers, slowing security operations during busy travel periods.
Some airports operate under the TSA’s Screening Partnership Program, which allows commercial airports to use private contractors to perform passenger screening while TSA maintains regulatory oversight.
Under the program, TSA establishes all security procedures and standards while private companies carry out screening operations through federal contracts. Because those contracts are funded separately from federal employee payroll, contractors may continue receiving pay during federal funding disruptions.
According to the TSA, about 20 U.S. airports currently participate in the Screening Partnership Program.
Airports using private screening contractors include:
- Atlantic City International Airport
- Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport
- Dawson Community Airport
- Great Falls International Airport
- Glacier Park International Airport
- Greater Rochester International Airport
- Havre City-County Airport
- Kansas City International Airport
- L. M. Clayton Airport
- Orlando Sanford International Airport
- Portsmouth International Airport
- Punta Gorda Airport
- Roswell International Air Center
- San Francisco International Airport
- Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
- Sidney-Richland Municipal Airport
- Sioux Falls Regional Airport
- Tupelo Regional Airport
- Wokal Field / Glasgow International Airport
- Yellowstone Airport
Private screening contractors in the program must follow all TSA security procedures and operate under the supervision of federal security directors assigned to each airport.
Labor groups representing TSA officers oppose expanding the program. The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents many TSA employees, has warned that privatizing airport screening could weaken worker protections and raise security concerns.
Travel disruptions have remained uneven nationwide. Some airports have reported long lines during peak travel periods, while others continue processing passengers normally.
Passenger volumes are expected to increase in the coming weeks as spring break travel ramps up at major airports across the country.
