More airports want to replace TSA with private security

News from the TSA is that more airports are seeking to opt out of the federal government’s overseeing security in favor of private screeners while the agency itself in the wake of screening failures says it is “modifying” some of its rules.

The Orlando Sanford International Airport in Central Florida wants to join 16 other US airports in substituting private screeners instead of the TSA’s.

Meanwhile, the TSA is testing “modified” screening procedures for passengers 75 and older at some airports but travel commentator Christopher Elliott asks whether this ultimately will lead to safer skies.

The move will mean seniors above that age will be allowed to leave their shoes and light outerwear on. They will also be allowed an extra pass through the full-body scanners before having to undergo pat-downs.

The change in guidelines will be introduced at a limited number of security lanes at Chicago’s O’Hare International, Denver International, Orlando International and Portland International. Those airports were chosen because they have a higher percentage of travelers 75 and older, according to the TSA.

“Both these announcements were timed to offset the unfortunate news earlier this month that those scanners are easily foiled, a fact the government desperately wants you to forget,” Elliott writes.

Reaction to the new age rules was predictable. “Most travelers said it made perfect sense,” writes Elliott, pointing out that most grandmas are not likely to be terrorists.

He points out most terrorists are young males.

How about going about it a different way? Instead of assuming everyone is guilty of terrorism until proved innocent, why not think of us as innocent until proven guilty? Why not spend the billions of dollars on TSA trying to identify the bad guys before they board?

“There has to be a better way,” he concludes

Meanwhile, a Florida airport is pushing to join 16 other US airports in opting out of Transportation Security Administration screening in favor of private screeners.

As for the Orlando area airport, "We're not booting the TSA. This is a TSA program created by congress," said Larry Dale, the airport's president and CEO.

The airport's application has been denied twice.

There are now 16 participating airports with their own security, including San Francisco International and Kansas City International. One additional airport, West Yellowstone in Montana, was approved in January.

Legislation signed into law with the much-delayed FAA reauthorization bill in February was designed to make it easier for airports to join the private program.

Orlando Sanford has submitted a request to the TSA to reconsider its application, under a stipulation outlined in the bill, Dale said.

"We believe in free enterprise and holding people accountable for efficiency, safety and security," Dale said.

The TSA is "developing procedures to implement the Screening Partnership Program-related provisions included in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012," the agency said in a statement. The TSA administrator is required to approve airport applications for the program if security is uncompromised, cost efficiency is maintained and the screening of passengers and property is not negatively impacted.

Orlando Sanford International Airport saw close to 1.6 million passengers in 2011, compared with more than 35 million passengers at neighboring Orlando International Airport, according to CNN.

By David Wilkening