This is a personally run site. It is not TSA sponsored. There is no posting of any SSI/FOUO/PII on the site.

Private screening option

12/31/10 The Washington Post reported that some more airports are considering private screening option.[read Washington Post piece]

In 2002 Aviation and Transportation Security Act required TSA to conduct a contract screening pilot program at five airports to evaluate the performance of private screeners relative to federal screeners. San Francisco and Kansas City were among the five airports. Pilot program ended in November 2004 but airport operators were allowed to request opting out of TSA under the Screening Partnership Program.

Currently sixteen airports have private screening. There are thirty four private companies that are approved to perform private screening. Covenant Aviation Security that has its main office in Congressman Mika’s home district has been rewarded contracts for 9 out of the 16 airports with private screeners.

In November 2010 Congressman Mika sent a letter to 100 largest airport operators urging then to opt out of TSA screening.

According to media reports “in the past 13 years, Congressman Mica has received almost $81,000 in campaign donations from political action committees and executives connected to some of the private contractors already at 16 U.S. airports”.

Starting salary of private screeners are higher than TSO’s.  According to an independent report the private security contracts costs are 9 to 17 percent higher than the TSA's costs. Contractors must follow all TSA-mandated security procedures at checkpoint at CTX locations.