Heading for the Exit

The decisions of airport officials next year will determine whether TSA maintains its status as a security agency or becomes more of a regulatory entity. Starting in November 2004, officials at the more than 400 airports with federal screeners will be able to replace them with contract employees. The 2001 Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which created TSA, gives airports that option.

It's not clear how many airports will actually opt out of the government program, but there are rumblings that as many as 50 small- to mid-size airports and between five and 15 of the 30 largest airports could seek permission from TSA to conduct security on their own.

"There's a fear within the industry that we'll have a shortage of federal screeners," says Stephen Van Beek, senior vice president for policy and development at the Airports Council International-North America. That could result in longer lines and more disruption to customer service, he adds. By taking control of the screening process, airports would be better able to handle the rush that comes during peak travel times.

Airports in five cities-Kansas City; San Francisco; Rochester, N.Y.; Tupelo, Miss.; and Jackson, Wyo.-participate in a pilot project allowing them to use private screeners. Industry sources expect most of them to retain the contractors when the pilot ends in November 2004. Airport officials could not be reached for comment.

If airports decide to replace TSA screeners, they'll still be regulated by the agency. TSA is in the process of developing the opt-out program. The law requires the level of screening to be "equal to or greater than" that provided by the federal workforce. It also stipulates that private screening firms must pay salaries equivalent to TSA's. The private screener force in place before Sept. 11 was generally underpaid and poorly trained.

TSA Administrator James Loy says the opt-out program needs to provide some flexibility in areas such as compensation in order to give airports a real choice. Van Beek says the industry supports the agency's efforts to develop a flexible program. He also says the agency must address liability and cost-sharing issues. Before putting the final touches on a program, TSA wants to study results and attitudes at the five airports testing private screening. "I want to hear what they are thinking. What would they vary?" he says. "I want to be honest and objective about putting the data on the table so they can make good decisions."