Replace the TSA with a privatized security contract

It is time to replace the TSA with a privatized security contractor. The TSA has proven worthless time and time again, failing to meet the minimum responsibilities they are charged with. They have failed 90% of their exercises and evaluations, allowing contraband and weapons; literally the items they are supposed to detect stop from entering into the airport. These are federal employees, and if we are looking to save government dollars, this would be the ideal place to start. We are making cuts to the department of Defense who have continuously gone above and beyond to accomplish more with much less. The amount of work the TSA actually completes could be done with a quarter of the staff, through a private organization that actually cares.

Every time I travel, like many of those who are reading this post, there are always TSA agents standing around socializing with one another and failing to provide basic services (Atlanta airport is a great example). When the TSA does decide to do the bare minimum (their job), it appears to over burden them, is performed in an unprofessional manner, and often times (99 out of 100) extremely rude.

A privatized security contractor can be held to a contract standard, which holds tem accountable to fulfill the terms of their contract. If the organization proves less efficient then the contract terms, then a recompete of other private contract companies will allow for changes in growth opportunities. Americans deserve top notch security when traveling, and it can absolutely be done in a professional and courteous manner. in fact the contract a minimum requirement for employees to provide the tact in courtesy of that of your basic Chick-fil-A employee (that’s not even a joke), it’s not that hard.

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Just eliminate the TSA ENTIRELY!

When the TSA was created post 9/11, there was a carve out for the TSA to allow private contractors to serve as checkpoint screeners at an airport granted an exception.

At the time Kansas City and at least one other were granted exceptions, and they operated private contractors (in the case of Kansas City the terminal layout made it a difficult situation, as you’d have one checkpoint for every 2-3 gates, so it was actually more efficient and cost effective to use private contractors). Since Kansas City built a new terminal, I don’t know if the private screeners are still there.

The private screeners are unfortunately bound to follow the same TSA protocols, so it was still pretty much the same security theater, just a different cast.

Where the problem lies is in the screening requirements, and the fact that poor performers are kept around (likely due to staffing issues, but also the typical government sector protections).

The good news, is earlier today (March 7, 2025) DHS announced that the TSA will no longer recognize collective bargaining (unions), moving the TSA to a merit based system - also because of the overhead of people that were no longer even certified as screeners that remain on the payroll just doing union business. (Plenty of news stories on it, so I won’t link here). This will be the first of many steps to begin reforming the personnel and efficiency issues at the TSA, and hopefully they’ll dive deeper in the policies and make improvements there as well (waiting for their turn in the DOGE arena).