Transportation Security Administrator John Pistole last week decided against expanding a program that allows the nation’s airports to opt-out of using federal security screeners in favor of privatized screeners, saying the program has no obvious benefits.
As part of a comprehensive review of TSA’s policies begun last year, Pistole said in a statement there is no “clear or substantial advantage” to expanding the Screening Partnership Program (SPP) beyond the 16 airports currently participating.
“The airports that currently use contractor screening will continue to be regulated by TSA and required to meet our high security standards,” Pistole said.
Pistole’s action drew an immediate rebuke from one of the SPP program’s supporters in Congress, Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
“It’s unimaginable that TSA would suspend the most successfully performing passenger screening program we’ve had over the last decade,” Mica said in a statement. “The agency should concentrate on cutting some of the more than 3,700 administrative personnel in Washington who concocted this decision, and reduce the army of TSA employees that has ballooned to more than 62,000.”
Mica said that he plans to “launch a full investigation and review of the matter.”
While TSA’s screeners bear the brunt of frequent ridicule and complaints, most the vast majority of airports have chosen not to manage a screening workforce on their own. The private screeners, which can be used at airport security checkpoints and in the checked baggage screening area, are paid by TSA through contracts to private screening companies but they must still adhere to agency standards.
Last Thursday, TSA renewed a contract with the Jackson Hole, Wyo., Airport Board to provide private screening services at their airport. The award is valued at $25.6 million.