Overview
- The administration’s budget proposes shifting more passenger screening to private contractors under TSA oversight while cutting about 8,400 TSA jobs and more than $500 million in personnel costs.
- The plan would lean on the Screening Partnership Program, which lets airports hire approved companies that must follow TSA procedures, and about 20 airports such as San Francisco and Orlando Sanford already use it.
- Supporters say private operators could keep checkpoints running during funding lapses and improve speed and technology by adding competition.
- Critics note private screeners ran many checkpoints before 9/11 and warn that relying on companies could weaken consistent national security standards.
- TSA officers report ongoing paycheck uncertainty that is pushing some to look for other jobs, and Congress plans hearings later this month on the budget and the scope of any expansion.